George Richard White
June 02, 1918 - October 29, 2013
As published in the November 11, 2013 World-Spectator
George Richard White was born at Dafoe, Saskatchewan, on June 2, 1918, the older son of Neville George White and Elsie Cail White.
At the age of 12, George moved with his parents and brother, Donald, to the farm that had been his mother’s home in Cailmount District outside Moosomin. George attended Cailmount School, taking his high school classes by correspondence.
After a year at university in Saskatoon, George enlisted in the army and was soon serving in England. It was in England in November of 1945, that he met the love of his life, Iris Alice Mabe. After a three-month courtship, they were married on February 2, 1946.
They returned to Canada and George returned to mixed farming. Their children, Ian and Helen, were born during these farming years. Iris was a teacher and this led to their move to Rocanville, although George continued to farm. When Iris pursued more university education, George gradually left the farm and found work with construction at the potash mines at Vanscoy, Esterhazy and finally PCS at Rocanville.
In 1978, George retired and he and Iris moved to Maple Ridge, B.C. There he helped care for his parents and they both enjoyed warmer winters and more urban experiences. After 10 years they returned to Rocanville, the community they loved, and George resumed volunteering with St. Thomas Anglican Church, the Rocanville Legion of which he was a member for 54 years, the Rocanville History Book, and with 4-H youth.
George was an incredibly kind and generous person who gave his time to his family, his community and his neighbors, never looking for recognition or even a thank you. He loved Iris unconditionally throughout their marriage of almost 67 years. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his wife, his children, and particularly his grandchildren.
After three years of much appreciated extra help in their home in Rocanville, George and Iris moved together to William Albert Personal Care Home in Emerald Park where they remained for over four years.
George was predeceased by his parents; his in-laws, George and Alice Mabe; his brother, Donald (in 1996) and his wife, Iris, in January of this year. George is survived by his son, Ian, his wife Elizabeth and their children Julian and Melissa; daughter Helen, her husband Ross Strong, and children Nicole (husband Dustin Leduc), Adrian (wife Erin and children Logan and Talia) and Tyler (wife Nelly and son Hayden). George is also survived by his sister-in-law, Helen White and niece, Susan Ferguson.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Wendy and her compassionate staff at William Albert who loved George and appreciated that although his life became increasingly dependent, he was still that unfailingly polite and grateful person who handled his limitations with dignity and grace. The family would also like to particularly thank the special caregivers who lovingly added extra comfort to George’s last years.
A service to celebrate the lives of George and Iris was held in the family room at William Albert in Emerald Park at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 3 with Pastor Darlene Harrison officiating. If friends so wish, memorial donations can be made to St. Thomas Anglican Church, Rocanville, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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