Obituary
George Allen (Alley) Grimstad
December 16, 1929 – October 22, 2022
George Grimstad was a man who lived life on his own terms – but always with grace and a keen sense of humour. And on his own terms, he left this world on October 22, 2022, at home, after spending an evening with friends. George was born in Edmonton, Alberta on December 16, 1929 and raised in Cold Lake, Alberta. It was working on the farm where he gained his incredible work ethic – there was nothing that man couldn’t do. He loved to tell stories about his growing up years and we always loved to hear them. At the young age of 17, he was hired by the Hudson’s Bay Company and left Cold Lake to go to Ft. Selkirk in the Yukon Territories. He was only up north for a few years but his time there left an indelible footprint on his soul and it was a place much loved by him. George eventually left the HBC and found himself in Hazelton and Smithers, BC, where he met the love of his life, Virginia Ford. Their first night out together was Valentine’s 1953 and they were married on August 1 of that year. Their adventures together started out in the Smithers area, then on to Cold Lake, with a few stops in between. Their three oldest boys, Wally, Del & Doug were all born in Cold Lake. It was in Cold Lake that George found one of his other passions in life – that of firefighting. He started as a volunteer firefighter and then was hired by the American Air Force to work on the base in Cold Lake, which started his career as an airport fire fighter. Next stop for George & Virginia was Prince George, BC, in 1963, where the two youngest children, Rod & Wendy, came along. After taking a trip to the Kootenays with their dear friends the Zilkies, George & Virginia found the place they wanted to be, and the younger part of the family moved to Cranbrook, BC, where George started the Airport Fire Service, from 1977 to 1984. During their time in Cranbrook, George & Virginia built their “mountain house” on the Riondel Road, moving into Riondel proper in 1997. George was very active in community life in Riondel, and even found a second career at the “Cartbreak Hotel” at Kokanee Springs Golf Course, finally retiring from Kokanee in the early 2000s. He was known around Riondel for his picture framing as George loved to tinker in his woodshop and there are many people in the Riondel area and beyond who will have some of his handiwork.
While still in relatively good health, and after several successful battles with cancer, in the last year or so, George’s body was starting to fail him but the help of his son Del, and many friends, he was able to stay at home right to the end. His parents, John & Linnie, predeceased George, and he was the last surviving of his siblings, with Polly (Donald) Brown, Olga (Peter) Penner and Robert Grimstad all predeceasing him. He was also predeceased by Virginia’s parents Alfred (Al) & Mary, Virginia’s siblings George (Vi) Ford, and Gordon (Lou) Ford. He is survived by his sister-in-law Rena Grimstad, and brothers-in-law Don (Gail) Ford and Rich Ford. One of the hardest things George had to do was say good-bye to his son, Wally, who passed away in 2005, and of course, his wife, Virginia, in 2009. His daughter-in-law, Laurie, also left us in 2016, along with his first great-grandson, DJ, in 2001. He leaves behind to remember and celebrate his life his children: Phyllis (Gary) MacLaren, Del Grimstad; Doug (Catherine) Grimstad, Rod (Colleen) Grimstad and Wendy (Brad) Davidson. Just as he was proud of his grandchildren, so were they ever so proud of their Grandpa: Ryan (Tanya); Dana (Tim); Kris (Jessie); Hanna (Travis); Rindi (Jason); Tyra; Nicole (Kyle), Cody & Mike; Tegan (Nathan), Samia and Eric. George was also lucky enough to have several great-grandchildren: (Gage, Austen, Devon, Brodie & Katarina; Sauren; Nicole, Emma, Santana (Sugar); Tori, Rian & Knoxley; Logan, Kinsley & Tobias, along with many nieces, nephews and their families who were all so dear to him.
George was a man who treasured his friends and kept in contact with many of them right up until the end. He was so grateful for his friends Sue & Stu Correy, who were great helps as he found himself unable to maintain his former staunch independence, and we leave our final mention to Sylvia Horwood. His friendship with Sylvia was part of what kept George going after Virginia passed and they formed an amazing bond over the past several years. Sylvia accompanied Dad to many of his cancer treatments and they loved their nightly 7pm phone chats.
A Celebration of Life will be held for George in Riondel BC in the summer of 2023. In the meantime, the family would love to hear your memories of him and plan to compile those memories as part of his celebration. Memories of George can be emailed to wendbrad@telus.net.
So, while George can’t Fix It anymore, he leaves behind his legacy of family and friends who will carry on in his memory, all better for having had him in their lives.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of George Grimstad December 16 1929 October 22 2022 (age 92)..
Death notice for the town of: Creston, Province: Colombie britanique