George Bisset Craig

George Bisset Craig was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. George always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, George was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

       George was born in Edinburgh,Scotland and grew up in Upper Grove place in the Fountain Bridge district. Always able to express himself well, George possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, George was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

      Blessed with a balanced attitude, George was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. George was raised with 10 siblings. He had 5 brothers, Robert, Archibald "Archie", Hugh, Donald, James and 5 sisters, Jackie,Catherine, Grace, Elspeth and Peggy. George had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

      As a young child, George showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. George enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in soccer. In his spare time he liked sports magazines and comic books.

      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, George was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Darroch Secondary School in 1946. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. His favourite class in high school was gym.

      When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to George. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He earned his Apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. He also pursued graduate school, earning his Licensed technician.

      Friends and acquaintances found George an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. George was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were David Marr, Tommy Docherty and James Rowley.

      On September 28, 1957 George exchanged wedding vows with Margaret Mitchell at the Newington South and Hope Park Church of Edinburgh, Scotland. George was attentive to Margaret's feelings, and he charmed Margaret and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, George was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humour to the relationship.

      Very much like a kid himself, George identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. George was blessed with two children, two sons, Stuart and David. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, Kyla, Amanda, Marcus, Maya and Zoe.

      George was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, George’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, George was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. George could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was Millwright. He was employed for 13 years with Lasco Steel and 16 years with P. P. G.

      George was a Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer (REME) in the Army. George was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He was in the Suez Canal (Egypt). He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.

      George enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favourite pursuits were golf, collectible cars and gardening. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Because he liked to take risks, George was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In his college years, George continued to stay active by playing soccer. Recreational sports included golf and swimming. George was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favourite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Nascar, Golf, Hockey and Football.

      George was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, George worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, George was an active member of the Whitby Minor Soccer Association, Mason, Canadian Scottish Club.

      George held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

      Travel and vacations were experiences that George truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favourite vacations included Florida and Scotland.

      George was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of George’s favorites was Sandye, a Border Collie dog. They were best friends for 15 years. His family was rounded out by his cat, Reekie.

      When George’s retirement finally came in 1996, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. His new life involved relocating to Whitby. In retirement, he found new pleasure in Golf and being a grandfather.

      George passed away on July 4, 2014 at Ajax Pickering Hospital in Ajax, Ontario. George fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his sons Stuart and David, and brothers, Jackie and Robert. Services were held at Oshawa Funeral Home. George was laid to rest in Groveside Cemetery in Whitby, Ontario.

      George was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If George had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember George Bisset Craig.

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CRAIG, George

Passed away peacefully with family by his side after a battle with cancer on Friday, July 4th, 2014 at the age of 82. Beloved husband of Margaret of 56 years. Loving father of Stuart (Deborah) and David (Caroline). Devoted and proud Granda of Kyla, Amanda, Marcus, Maya and Zoë. Survived by his twin brother John “Jackie” and Robert of Scotland. Predeceased by brothers Archibald, Hugh, Donald, James and sisters Catherine, Grace, Elspeth and Margaret “Peggy”. Fondly remembered by family and friends in Canada and Scotland. Member of the Masonic David T. Campbell Lodge Whitby. Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Wednesday, July 9th from 2 - 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, July 10th at 3:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.