George passed away peacefully at his home days after celebrating his 90th birthday. He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Jo-Ann (Wright). Sons, Richard (Marlene), Lyle (Karen), Russell (Anna), and Blair (Lisa). Grandchildren, Shaun (Crystal), Stephanie (Nathaniel), Sarah, Melina (Julian), Wilson, Alanna, Mitchell (Emily), Alex (John), and Haley (Taylor). Great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Elias and Ryker. Predeceased by parents Harry and Beatrice Gurney, siblings, Bert, Jack, Bill, and Carol, in-laws Stan and Margaret Wright and brother in-law Dennis Sanders.
George is survived by brothers Ted, Wilson (Liz), Victor (Sharon) and sister in-law Helen, in-laws Fred, Loran (Carol), Vicki-Lynn Sanders, Wayne (Barbara), and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. George was born in Comox, living his early years exploring the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He met his soulmate, Jo-Ann, in 1953 at a community dance in the Union Bay Hall. They were married in 1955 ,at First United Church in Victoria, BC. George was an educator who received his teaching certificate from the Victoria Normal School in 1951. His first teaching appointment was in Giscome, BC, east of Prince George.
Returning to Vancouver Island in 1953, he taught grades 1 to 8 in a one-room schoolhouse at the Harris Creek logging camp. He then transferred to Langford Elementary in 1955 where he taught until receiving his first principal appointment at the brand-new Sangster Elementary in 1958. While at Sangster, George attended night and summer school at the University of Victoria where he received his Bachelor’s of Education degree in 1968. George and Jo-Ann met many of their lifelong friends during this time. He taught grades 4 and 5 and coached the Sangster swim team until 1978. Between 1978 and 1982 he was principal at Colwood Elementary, and finally wrapped up his teaching career as principal at David Cameron Elementary in 1986.
After retiring, George promptly re-entered the educational field by reading to his grandchildren’s kindergarten classes for years. He adored children and was known as Grandpa Gurney to hundreds of kids. He loved going on field trips and being the teacher’s “pet”. Dad was a super-fan that attended all of his four boys sporting events. He and Mom went to every lacrosse and soccer game they had. He coached lacrosse and was on the executive of the Saanich Lacrosse Association. He was an active member of Victoria Legion Junior A Lacrosse where he would run the 30-second clock at the Legion games.
Over the years Grandpa and Grandma would attend hundreds of their grandchildren’s games. You would find them in the stands or on the sidelines, cheering with coffee cups in hand. “OB” loved being outdoors, whether it was fishing, hunting, camping, or gardening. He looked forward to his hunting trips with Wilf and then with Sergei every year. Each summer he would load the family in his ’67 International Travel all with tent-trailer in tow and head out camping. The destination was usually somewhere in BC but in 1968 he drove his crew clear across the country to Nova Scotia. George had a green thumb and liked to putter outside in his greenhouse and gardens.
His flower baskets were beautiful and he was so proud of them. Hanging and standing baskets adorned many friends’ and family members’ front porches. But his all-time favourite pastime was to hop in his boat and go fishing. Simply put, George loved to fish. Whether it was casting for steelhead in the Sooke or Puntledge Rivers, fly-fishing for trout in Benson Lake or spending hours trawling for salmon and halibut on the ocean, he loved it all. Over his lifetime he would introduce countless people to his #1 passion. His boat was his “zen” place to be and he was happiest on the water. Another of George’s favourite routines in his retirement was his regular weekly coffee meeting with four of his good friends, who he fondly referred to as his group of cronies.
For years these 5 principals from School District 62 would get together at Colwood McDonald’s for friendly conversation, banter and laughter. Herman, Rupee, Andre, John and George would meet every Thursday to share their stories and their experiences of life. George loved these guys and cherished their friendship. Grandpa had many aliases, he was Santa and made his rounds on Christmas Eve with Mrs. Claus keeping him on schedule each stop, he was the Great Pumpkin that visited many kindergarten classes each Halloween delivering treats, he was the Easter egg hunt master that hid hundreds of eggs on Gurney Hill for his grandkids and great-grandchildren, he was the holiday “Cheer-Meister”.
The Gurney Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Jones and Amundsen for giving George the loving care and dignity that he needed for his journey. Also, a special thank you to Elizabeth and Ash at Island Health for their compassion and kindness. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 at 2:00 pm. in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, followed by a reception. For those wishing to attend virtually via zoom please click the link below. Please use your video camera when joining so that family in attendance can see you and feel your support. Tributes, if desired, may be made to the charity of your choice.
us06web.zoom.us/j/88007245428?pwd=dVpkR2VmRDJYSmNIY0xicHFGb2Fvdz09
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de George Francis Richard Gurney November 21 1931 December 1 2021..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique