Service of Committal for Geoffrey Lee Shinkle to take place in General Protestant Cemetery on Friday, September 16th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Geoffrey Lee Shinkle, age 70, passed peacefully in his home in St. John’s on October 19, 2021. Lee was born in St. John’s on November 5, 1950, to Joan Crosbie and Eugene Shinkle.
Lee’s memory lives on through his loving wife Martha, daughter Malindi (Sean Charters), son Geoffrey (Emily Doyle), daughter Jessica (David Banfield) and son David. As well as 9 grandchildren Dafydd, Alexander, Gabriella, Ella, Ida, Leo, Abram, Sophia and Catherine. Leaving to mourn siblings, Matthew (Joyce), Susan (Doug), Eugenie, Tim (Anne), Glynis, and John (Stephanie), and stepmother, Jean (Hatty) Shinkle. As well as a large circle of extended family and friends; of special note are Ches Crosbie and Lois Hoegg, Dan and Roma Herder and Chris Rusted and Christine Clouston.
Special thanks to Lee’s caregivers, and especially to Siraj and Jeff, who made him feel comfortable and secure. Many thanks to the ALS Society of Canada and the overall care and support from Eastern Health staff. After Lee’s diagnosis with ALS in 2018, he remained pragmatic and positive, never complaining and always there to support his family and friends throughout his illness.
Lee met his wife, Martha (Hawke), in Lausanne, Switzerland when they were both 17 and they enjoyed over 50 wonderful years together. They shared a love of traveling, entertaining, fishing, and reading. Lee and Martha enjoyed vacationing with their family and friends, exemplified by the beautiful memories that were made at the White Sails Inn in Eastport. Family was incredibly important to him, and he treasured being surrounded by loved ones especially at their regular Sunday dinners. Lee was an exceptional Father and Grandfather. Despite his busy business schedule, he always made time for his children. He was incredibly proud of his children and adored the role of “Grandpa”.
Lee was a spectacular gardener, with no better example than his garden at home. He was a voracious reader, an accomplished hunter and loved salmon fishing. These activities gave him immense pride and the “bragging-rights” he was always eager to share.
Lee started his education at Bishop Feild College, continued at St. Andrew’s College and the Canadian Junior College in Lausanne Switzerland. Lee graduated initially from the University of Toronto and continued at the London School of Business and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Lee always valued education and continued to take on new learning opportunities throughout his life.
Lee was a business leader in Atlantic Canada for over 50-years in the insurance, oil and gas, research, innovation, and mining industries. Outside of his business interests Lee was engaged in numerous volunteer and board activities, including the Crosbie Group of Companies, Genoa Design International, Memorial University of NL, Engineering and Applied Sciences Advisory Council, Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), St. John’s Board of Trade, and the Genesis Centre. Lee was an industry leader who excelled at business development and who was happy to pass on his expertise to the next generation of business leaders in our province.
Throughout his life, Lee was honored with numerous awards, including being recognized as a Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada, as well as in the oil and gas sector in NL. Additionally, he was honored to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and the NOIA Outstanding Contribution Award. Recently, Lee was touched by a scholarship recognizing his achievements by Genoa Design International; named the “Lee Shinkle Think Big Scholarship”.
Lee was a lifelong coach, teacher, and mentor. He enjoyed nothing more than passing knowledge to his children, grandchildren and to the next generation at large.
Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Thursday, October 21st from 7-9 pm, and Friday, October 22nd from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Masks required. Please respect social distancing protocols. Funeral is by invitation. Vaccine passports required in order to attend the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s memory may be made to the ALS Society of Canada and/or St. Mark’s Anglican Church.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Geoffrey Lee Shinkle November 5 1950 to October 19 2021..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N