George
George and I and our families came to Canada in 1981 and 82.We didn’t know each other before then but we’ve been good friends and neighbours ever since. Our kids grew up together. We’re talking 42 years, the best part of half a century.
He and I were work colleagues, in the same firm, for many years until the boom-and-bust nature of the oil and gas industry parted our professional ways. But we still lived just down the road from each other and so our social lives continued nevertheless.
George’s outgoing personality made him a popular and valuable addition to any gathering. At house-parties, pub nights, or sat around the campfire he was in his element. From his legendary and extensive repertoire of songs, odes, ditties, jokes and anecdotes he could effortlessly retrieve one, just right for the moment, from the dusty nooks and crannies of days long gone.
Many of his stories were of his days in the Hartlepool contingent of the Boys Brigade. As a lad, then as a leader of other lads, as a young man and as a player for the Boys Brigade Old Boys rugby team. It’s no stretch to say that the Boys Brigade had a major influence in how he conducted his life as a young man, as a responsible adult and as a great family man.
The motto of the Boys Brigade is Steadfast and Sure.
Steadfast and Sure.
That was our George and we’ll miss him.
Harry and Barbara and family.
