George Van Walleghem

George Robert Van Walleghem

September 16, 1920 - March 11, 2012

George passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital on March 11, 2012 at the age of 91, following a brief illness.

George began this new phase of his spiritual journey joining in Heaven his beloved wife of 60 years, Helen, daughter Dawn, his parents Jules and Elisa, brothers and sisters-in-law Jerome, Laddie (Bea), Mike (Anne), Gerry and Julian Van Walleghem, Alma Tapley, and nephew David Van Walleghem. His in-laws Tom (Betty), Edward (Marguerite), Philip (Donna), Henry, Frank, and Laura Spalton, and Cecile Serant also predeceased him.

George leaves to mourn his loss and celebrate his life, daughter Mary Helen, son Mark and daughter -in-law Anna of Dryden, granddaughters Yetta Running (Roger) of St. Catherines, Jillian Wilkinson (Duncan) of Dryden and Elissa of Winnipeg, son Paul and daughter-in-law Beth, granddaughter Sara (Jim Trudeau) and favorite grandson Owen of Winnipeg, precious great-grandchildren Sam and Jack Trudeau and Ruby Wilkinson, whose visits he delighted in during his time at Pinecrest Home. His youngest brother Father Gerard Van Walleghem S.J. of India, his sisters-in-law Yvonne and Anita Van Walleghem and Elaine Spalton and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

His early years were spent on the family farm in Ile Des Chenes and later in Winnipeg on the farm at Cambridge Dairies. As a teenager he delivered milk by horse and wagon throughout the Fort Rouge area in the mornings before school. He attended school at St. Ignacius and St. Paul’s College and the Russel Institute. George moved to Kenora in 1940 with brothers Laddie and Gerry to operate Lakeland Dairies on Main Street.

In 1942, George enlisted in the army and served his country as a signalman in England, Sicily, Italy, and Belgium. He was in Holland when the war ended. In 2005 he had the privilege of traveling to Europe for ceremonies commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

Upon returning to Kenora he met and married the lovely Helen Spalton and together they provided their family with a great home full of love and laughter. We will always treasure our memories of summers at the camp, with the added bonus of free access to a well stocked ice cream freezer.

Dad had a terrific work ethic and worked long hours at Lakeland, Notre Dame Credit Union, Van’s Lottery and as a Justice of the Peace for the Ministry of the Attorney General until he was required to retire at the age of 75. He would have happily continued performing weddings, which he really enjoyed.

Dad was a leading force in the church and as a Fourth Degree member and a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Dad’s proudest moment as a Knight was serving in the honor guard to His Holiness Pope John Paul 11 when he visited Birds Hill Park in 1984. He was a great organizer and loved to arrange a celebration of any kind. He brought together the Knights and the Shriners for an outstanding parade, which began a long association between the two organizations. The senior Knights will remember the gigantic barbeque and dance parties at George and Helen’s camp.

Dad was a very sociable person and enjoyed any opportunity to gather with friends, whether it be at large functions or just playing cards at the Club. If there was ever something he could do for someone he would happily and quietly lend a helping hand. He loved working and puttering around the house at Longbow Lake and, though not much of a swimmer, he could often be found in the water cooling off and cleaning up the shoreline.

George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be greatly missed by all of us.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pinecrest Home for the Aged and Lake of the Woods District Hospital for the care and compassion shown to Dad these last few years.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, with interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Pinecrest Home, or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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