George Francis Orr

George was born near Hillsburgh, Ontario on June 4, 1930. His parents were William and Helen Orr (Sproule) who had a 100 acre farm south of town. George was the middle child of seven with three sisters and three brothers being Elizabeth (Betty), Alex, Margaret, Marion, Frank and Jim.

George attended public school in a two room school in Hillsburgh and then went to Erin District High School in Erin and graduated after four years. During these school years George always helped on the farm as there was always lots to do growing a turnip crop every year and a herd of Jersey cattle that had to be milked both in the morning and evening. As the farm did not have a tractor, everything was done with heavy horses so the work was very labour intensive. George was a member of the Hillsburgh Brass Band and played the trumpet. The band played at fall fairs and other events. George was interested in sports but not overly active in them although he had a desire to play golf which he was able to realize in his senior years.

After high school, George started working in the Royal Bank of Canada in Erin and was moved to the bank in Clifford, Ontario and eventually to Sundridge, Ontario. While working in the bank, he purchased a Model A Ford for transportation back and forth to work. He was very generous with the use of the vehicle transporting his two young brothers, Jim and Frank to various sporting events. Even when he was working in Erin he still helped out as much as he could on the farm.

After his transfer to the Royal Bank in Sundridge, Ontario, George decided that he would take a position with the local Imperial Oil Agent, Herb Quirt in 1951. He did the office work and drove deliveries when things got really busy and generally learned the oil business. He also met Evelyn Smith who lived in South River and they eventually were married on June 8, 1957, in Chalmers United Church in South River. After Mr. Quirt retired in 1959 George went directly with Esso as a Sale Representative in Sudbury and George and Evelyn moved to that northern city. He took over the Esso Agency in Sudbury in September 1965.

George and Evelyn were thrilled on April 6, 1964 when their first child, a daughter, Jennifer Lynn was born. On June 19, 1969 they were blessed with a son Peter Francis. George was always very proud of the accomplishments of his two children with Jennifer becoming a nurse and Peter a restaurant manager. In August of 1976 George took over the Esso Agency in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and the family moved to that city. Jennifer met John Contini at High School and they were married in 1988 after Jennifer became an RN and John a lawyer. They live in Oakville. Peter is still single and lives in Windsor. Both children were quite close with their Dad and George enjoyed a great relationship with his son-in-law John.

Jennifer and John had two children Nicholas, now attending university in Ottawa and Elizabeth who has just graduated from high school and is going to take Travel and Tourism at college. The two grandchildren were a feature of George’s life and he always referred to them as the “Two Greatest Grandchildren”. He liked to hear of all their achievements and was immensely proud of both of them. George certainly was not shy in telling others about the accomplishments of his grandchildren.

In his retirement, George developed an interest in golfing and played regularly up to the time of his death. He never worried too much about the score but really enjoyed the fellowship. He particularly looked forward to golfing with his son Peter, son-in-law John and grandson Nicholas a few times a year.

Evelyn always worked in the Esso Agencies and George and Evelyn retired in 1995 and moved to a new house constructed on St. Joseph Island where they could watch the shipping channel. If George was not golfing he liked to read and putter around the house. They moved back to Sault Ste. Marie In 2008 but celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 8, 2007 with a family outing to Niagara on the Lake. George was a Rotarian and a member of the Masonic Lodge and played an active role in both at various charitable ventures.

George’s wife Evelyn, his children, grandchildren, two brothers Frank and Jim, other relatives as well as a host of friends and golfing buddies miss George very much.

ORR, George Francis – Passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the age of 84 after a brief illness at the Sault Area Hospital. Loving husband of Evelyn (Smith) for 57 years. Dear father of Jennifer Contini (John) of Oakville and Peter of Windsor. Proud Grandpa George of the two greatest grandchildren Nicholas and Elisabeth Contini. Brother of Frank (Shirley) of Toronto and James (Marilyn) of Camrose, Alberta. Predeceased by Betty, Alex, Margaret and Marion. A member of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie since 1977 and the Masonic Lodge since 1956. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 12:30-1:30 pm. Funeral Service to be held in the chapel at 2 pm. Rev. John Wilson officiating. Memorial contributions to the Westminster Presbyterian Church would be appreciated. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

Members of the Masonic Lodge are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:45 pm for a memorial service for the late George Francis Orr.

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ORR, George Francis – Passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the age of 84 after a brief illness at the Sault Area Hospital. Loving husband of Evelyn (Smith) for 57 years. Dear father of Jennifer Contini (John) of Oakville and Peter of Windsor. Proud Grandpa George of the two greatest grandchildren Nicholas and Elisabeth Contini. Brother of Frank (Shirley) of Toronto and James (Marilyn) of Camrose, Alberta. Predeceased by Betty, Alex, Margaret and Marion. A member of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie since 1977 and the Masonic Lodge since 1956. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 12:30-1:30 pm. Funeral Service to be held in the chapel at 2 pm. Rev. John Wilson officiating. Memorial contributions to the Westminster Presbyterian Church would be appreciated. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

Members of the Masonic Lodge are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:45 pm for a memorial service for the late George Francis Orr.