THE LIFE OF GEORGE GARDINER
With immense sadness the family announce the peaceful death on September 5 of our hero George Edward Gardiner. George was a man of intense talents, humor, and passions. He is the father of the most amazing kids who were the joy of his life…Michele (Pat) Quesnel, Michael (Rita), and Mark (Michelle). Then came four even more amazing grandkids, Christopher, Nicola, Luke and Katie. Family was the ultimate happiness of his life and he was always present and so proud of everyone. George married the absolute love of his life, Mary. He confessed to Mary that he wanted to marry her the first time he saw her. He was born and grew up with his sister Dorothy on a farm near Coronach, Saskatchewan.
George completed the Psychiatric Nursing program and worked in the Mental Health field for several years, sold Life Insurance for a short time, then joined the Social Work Service, Office of the Public Guardian and Assistant to the Children’s Guardian of the Alberta Provincial Government, where he worked for nearly 30 years and attained Registered Social Worker credentials. He pioneered a program to help separated couples resolve their differences out of court. This program has been adopted as a Provincial Program. His “retirement” years were spent completing Home Studies for the Provincial Government and Adoption Options, where one study took him to Poland. He completed his work life doing financial assessments for people in care. Travel was the next chapter as George and Mary visited many, many countries of the world with numerous exciting stories to tell.
George contributed to his community by serving as a member of the Catholic Board of Education for eight years, five of those as Chair, member and Chair of the Red Deer Family Service Bureau, member of St. Mary’s Parish Council, Co-Chair of St. Mary’s Social Justice Committee, Member of the Council of Canadians, Chair of Catholic Social Services Advisory Board, President of the Central Alberta Council on Aging.
This hero built, for his family, a cedar cabin in a remote area with only a hammer and a hand saw, moved huge rocks single handed that should have had a crane, and resurfaced a tennis court with a squeegee. He completed superhuman things. His workmates recount that he was THE guy to go to, always ready to help, always upbeat and pleasant, and always witty. A huge vote of gratitude to Dr. Grundling and the awesome staff and administration at Points West Living who cared for George in an exceptional manner.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church at a later date. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040. Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Diabetes Association, Alzheimer Society ,or the charity of your choice.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of George Edward Gardiner Sunday September 5th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Red-Deer, Province: Alberta