George Clarence Wilson passed away suddenly at home on Grandview Bench, Salmon Arm BC on February 2, 2011 at the age of 69.
He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Marlene and two children - Penny of London, England and Chuck (Jan) of Salmon Arm, BC. Also, two brothers, Jim (Delrose), Phillip (Barbara) and two sisters, Jean (George), Barbara (Barry). He is predeceased by Barbara (1991) and his parents Clarence Wilson (1966) and Flora (nee Gillies) (1981).
George was born on November 23, 1941 in New Westminster, BC. His early childhood memories include floating on a landing barge down the Fraser River from Harrison to Fort Langley when the flood of 1948 hit and moving to Pender Harbour to begin his education in a one-room schoolhouse. Summers were enjoyed swimming and fishing in the ocean and local creeks. It was also in Pender Harbour that George was introduced to logging by his father who owned a logging company.
After leaving Pender Harbour, George lived on the “stump ranch” in Langley and spent his enjoyable teenage years playing baseball, fishing, camping and hunting. At 17 he went to work at his father’s logging camp experiencing jobs as a “whistle punk”, setting chokers and “chasing”. During his logging years he also learned how to operate crawlers and to drive trucks. Returning to Langley he worked in construction, the mill at Fort Langley and trained to become an automotive mechanic.
In 1964 he met and married Marlene (nee Legare) after a three month courtship.
He started farming in Langley in 1965 on his father’s farm which was later sold in 1974 and the family moved to Salmon Arm. The rest of his working life was spent working for the Department of Highways (later Emcon) operating backhoes, gradalls and excavators, retiring in late 2001.
However, George’s first love was farming. In 1976 he bought a farm on Grandview Bench where he lived until his passing. In the early years, he spent weekends working – always with several projects on the go, to improve the farm – building fences and barns, clearing land and improving fields, growing hay and establishing a beef cow / calf operation. After retirement, he devoted his time to farming with many more projects including building a workshop where he subsequently spent many enjoyable hours.
In the last few years, George again returned to his childhood love of the water, purchasing a boat, exploring local lakes and revisiting the Pacific Coast of his early years.
Although his health deteriorated in recent years, he continued to farm and boat until he passed away suddenly at home with his wife by his side.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Fire, Ambulance and Police services, the Coroner and Fischer’s Funeral Services for their professional care of George and their kind and compassionate words. Also, a special thank you to family, friends and George Rands for the many phone calls and visits to our home.
At the request of George, no funeral will be held.
Arrangements entrusted to FISCHER’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD., Salmon Arm, (250) 833-1129. EMAIL condolences and share memories at www.fischersfuneralservices.com