LEE
George Dwight
November 26, 1921
to October 29, 2003
Quietly, as the evening stars appeared, on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, George’s spirit slipped away to rejoin his wife Christine and grandson Troy and other family and friends who have gone before.
With great sorrow we say goodbye to George - father to Ken (Beverley) Lee, Linda (Bill) Murray and Sandy (Wayne) Rayner; grandfather to Jennifer, Debra & Kathleen, Troy & Christopher, and Erin & Michael; great grandfather to Matthew & Lucas and Keely, Sophie & Christian; brother to Arline (Russ) Mennell and Gwen (Gorden) Triplett; father-in-law to Irene (Ned) Tobey and Doreen (Henry) Ewert; uncle, great uncle and friend.
George was born November 26, 1921, in Lynn Valley (North Vancouver), B.C. to Dwight Anderson and Daisy Arline (Craddock) Lee and moved as an infant to Ocean Falls, B.C. George worked more than four decades in the pulp & paper industry, starting in 1939 at Pacific Mills in Ocean Falls at the age of 17. In 1941, he began his machinist apprenticeship and this was his specialty through to retirement in 1982. Entering military service in 1941, George spent the next four years as an aero machine mechanic, eventually posted to Dafoe, Saskatchewan. On March 5, 1943, while on leave, George married Christina Margaret Miller in Ocean Falls and the couple honeymooned at Twin Lakes and then back at Dafoe. Mustered out at Boundary Bay, B.C. in September 1945, George promptly returned to Ocean Falls and celebrated with a very successful fishing trip at Wallace Bay. George and Christine made their home in the Ocean Falls Town site with the three children that followed, spending many happy hours travelling about on the ‘Apollo’ as well as spending time at camp on Wallace Bay. In 1957, the decision was made to make the big move to Campbell River and George transferred to Crown Zellerbach’s Elk Falls mill; Campbell River remained his home until his passing.
George was creative and worked with his hands all his life, both in his trade and at home. Many ‘government’ jobs were crafted over the years and there always seemed to be a project underway ranging from woodworking to hooking rugs to crafts - you name it, he likely built it. Fishing was a great joy in George’s life and , unlike many, almost all his ‘fishing stories’ were true. From big springs, rock cod, cut throat and everything in between; from the Martin River, Link Lake, River’s Inlet, Deep Water Bay and other favourite spots too numerous to mention, he loved to fish and passed this passion on to a number of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He brought much to our lives that we will miss but always remember.
George’s family greatly appreciates the compassionate support provided by the many health care professionals that cared for him over the last few years including the staff at the Campbell River and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, Cumberland Dialysis Centre, Dr. Keith Graham in Campbell River and Dr. Rene Weir in Victoria, and especially the many home care ‘girls’ that enabled him to remain at home right to the end. He very much appreciated your kindness; care; and company.
If you wish to remember George, donations can be made in his name to the Campbell River and District General Hospital P.O. Box 811, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 6Y4 or any charity of your choice. Private cremation arrangements.