GEORGE JAMES EDWARDS

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GEORGE JAMES EDWARDS

George James Edwards, in his 100th year, passed away peacefully at the Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre in Toronto, on January 11, 2023.

George was born December 3, 1923 in Lashburn, SK to parents George and Christian Edwards, baby brother to May (Archie) McIntyre and Lillian (Joseph) McLean. After a childhood helping out on the Lashburn family farm and then graduating from high school, George worked for the local Co-op store until December 1942 when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In May 1943, he started basic training in Edmonton where he trained to become a bomb aimer. After further training in Lethbridge AB, Rivers MB, and Three Rivers QC, George was sent overseas to various locations in England until the end of the war and his return to Canada in January, 1946.

Once home, George resumed working for the Co-op, first in Marsden SK and then Lloydminster SK. In 1950 he married Bernice Gordon of Marsden, and they had 3 children: Denise, Debbie, and Lyndon. The family moved to Strathclair, MB in 1967 where George was general manager of the Co-op store. In 1978, as “empty-nesters”, George and Bernice relocated to Brandon, MB where George worked for Canada Post until his retirement in 1988. In November 2014, George moved to the Amica Retirement Residence in Newmarket, ON and most recently to Sunnybrook in May 2022. Although George was adaptable and made new friends wherever he went, his heart and soul remained firmly planted on the prairies.

George was predeceased by his parents and sisters, also his beloved wife Bernice in 2003 and daughter Denise Duthie (Brandon, MB) in 2013. Those who loved him dearly and are left to mourn his passing are his daughter Debbie (Ron) McArthur of Stouffville ON and his son Lyndon Edwards (Antonia) of Aurora ON; grandchildren Ryan (Amy) Duthie of Brandon MB, Stefani McArthur of Aurora ON, Daylan (Vanessa) McArthur of Aurora, ON, Sarah Duthie (Tom) Nguyen of Calgary AB, and Jack and Lucas Edwards of Aurora ON. Great-grandchildren Meliya and Benjamin McArthur, Reese and Grady Duthie, and Ethan and Greyson Nguyen.

George loved being in the company of family and friends. He had a great wit and sense of humour, and was always interested in what was happening in other people’s lives and the world around him. He liked to keep up with the times and was not intimidated by technology, even at 96 teaching himself to use an ipad so he could continue to receive emails and join in family Zoom calls during covid lockdowns.

George was a most loving and devoted father and grandfather who took great pride and pleasure in his family’s accomplishments and activities. Whether it was a school or career achievement, his grandsons playing baseball, his great-granddaughter performing in musical theater, any of life’s heartbreaks or joys, and everything in between, he was their greatest supporter and biggest fan. We were truly blessed to have had him for so many wonderful and memory-filled years.

For personal enjoyment, George loved watching sports on TV, particularly curling and the Toronto Blue Jays. In recent years (and probably much to his grandson Ryan’s chagrin) he was even becoming a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He especially enjoyed and appreciated the simple pleasures of going on drives to take in the scenery, eating a good home-cooked meal, petting a dog, playing a game of cribbage, watching the birds and squirrels in the Veteran’s garden, having a coffee at Tim Horton’s, indulging in desserts (especially pie), getting a note in the mail or having a chat on the phone with his extended family or an old friend.

At George’s request, there will be no service at this time. An interment ceremony to lay him to rest beside his wife and daughter in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Brandon MB will be planned at a later date. For anyone who so desires, please consider donations in his name to The Heart and Stroke foundation, your local Legion branch, or any charity benefiting the Veterans of Canada. Please visit www.legion.ca for more information.

If anyone has the opportunity to listen to the song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” by Toby Keith, please smile and think of George while you do.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Edwards family.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 14, 2023