George Aitkens passed away on June 13, 2020 at the age of 72. He is survived by Dave Brickwood, his spouse of 40 years, his sister Jan in the Philippines, his niece Mary in Toronto, his nephew Rob in Winnipeg and many close long-time friends, including all of the Waifs in various cities in Canada.
George was a dedicated English teacher at Kelvin High, retiring in 2015 after 25 years. He taught the International Baccalaureate (IB) program as well as regular English. He also presented training courses to IB teachers in the United States and Canada.
George loved to teach and loved his students. He enjoyed watching them grow, develop and become influential citizens all over North America. It was not unusual to run into former students all over Canada.
In addition to teaching, George lead student canoe trips, and created “Shakespeare in the Snow” where his students would not only have to put on a Shakespeare play but would have to manage a winter tug of war. He would do anything to help his students succeed. Students were expected to wear the academic robe when doing their presentations and heaven forbid if he found you with White Out. It would end up on Bruce the Moose’s antlers.
He loved to travel and visited most of Canada, some of the United States and much of Europe with his partner. Picking up little treasures on the trips and bringing them home to a now overfull house and cottage at Red Rock Lake.
George also loved to do projects, electrical, furniture refinishing and building. He loved his cottage and the property is decorated with his projects, both inside and out. He spent many happy summers and winters at the lake with his spouse, his friends and always a series of dogs, currently Rufus and Molly, two Airedale terriers.
He was a presence wherever he went, at school, in the Wolseley neighbourhood, at the lake and around the dining room table at his formal dinner parties. He will be missed by everyone. Wolseley and Red Rock will never be the same.
Due to the Co-vid pandemic restrictions, sadly the funeral service will be by invitation only.
In memory of George, we ask that people contribute to the Nora Taylor Scholarship Fund with the Winnipeg Foundation on line at https://www.mycharitytools.com/gift/wpgfdn/donate?fund=1173 . The fund provides scholarships to Kelvin Students every year.
We love you George and we miss you so much.
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