George Angus McLeod “Jug” passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Sarcee Hospice on Saturday December 28, 2019 at the age of 85 years.
Jug is lovingly remembered by his children, Thyra and Sandy; his grandchildren, Matthew, Zachary and Nicole-Alec; his sisters, May and Doris; niece, Donna; and numerous other nieces and nephews; his special friend, Elsie Kalyn and her family who were a second family to him; his good friend, Wayne Bealing and family; friends at Lambert Village, the Strathmore Legion and numerous friends made throughout the years.
Jug was predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth and Alexander McLeod; ex-wife, Mary; daughter-in-law, Kim; sisters, Margaret, Mary, Flo, Jean, Aggie and Bella; and brothers Johnny and Kenny; his lifelong friend, Ray Luft; and friend, Charlie Duck Chief who Jug also considered a brother.
Jug was born in Calgary and was the 2nd of 3 boys in a family of 11 siblings. He grew up in the community of Sunalta and attended Western Canada High School. He loved sports and was an accomplished athlete and loved hiking and fishing with his brothers and friends. Jug went on to get his Journeyman Electrician License and was respected and well liked by all he worked with.
He raised his own family with wife Mary in Highland Park and spent his spare time fishing, curling, playing hockey, baseball and golf. He loved coaching his kids baseball and hockey teams, was a tireless volunteer at the Highland Park Community Association and in later years spent many hours at baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, and at the rink proudly cheering on his two grandsons and their teams. He missed his adored daughter-in-law Kim and was always excited to see Nicole-Alec and hear all the details of what was going on socially, at school and at summer drama camps. Jug encouraged all to live by the motto he believed in and exemplified: “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”.
He also loved to spend time at the cabin he built at Hidden Valley Golf Resort and spent lots of happy summers there with family and friends, and still enjoyed the camaraderie of those friends even after the resort was destroyed by the 2013 flood.
Jug was proud to have been a volunteer at the 1988 Olympics and for the past 39 years with the Terry Fox Run. He participated on the Olympic Torch Bearer Committee and helped draw up the Olympic Torch Bearer Selection Guidelines. Jug was a driver to Steve Fonyo for his cross Canada “Journey for Lives” to help complete Terry Fox’s “Marathon of Hope”.
Jug was a kind, loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle , and friend who was always there to give a smile, a helping hand, pat on the back, a ride, an honest assessment of the situation and practical advice and encouragement to help out.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joni McNeely, Dr. Helmerson, Dr. Alladina, doctors and staff at TBCC (in particular Dr. Cao), doctors and staff at FMC Unit 47, the Palliative Home Care Team (Strathmore and Calgary) , Community Paramedics Team, and Dr. Cunningham and staff at Sarcee Hospice staff (particularly Mandi) and to all those who did things big and small to help make things more cheerful and easier for Jug and his family.
Jug fought bravely, with great dignity and without complaint to stay with his family and friends for as long as he possibly could and will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Strathmore Royal Canadian Legion Br.10, 230 – 2 Ave., Strathmore on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Terry Fox Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of George Angus McLeod December 28th 2019..
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Airdrie, Province: Alberta
An Awesome Man….RIP
Jeffrey Engen