George J. Percival

Today we honour, respect and remember a good man who touched and enriched all of our lives in so many different ways. He did not want this “Reflection” of his life to be a sad one. He really didn’t. He said many times, he was ready to go onto the next journey! So please, for him … for all of us … let’s take a moment to shift our thoughts from how much we’ll miss him to one of your own many funny, joking, laughing, happy and comical times that you shared with him … and there were many for all of us. So briefly … relive it … enjoy it and SMILE!

George didn’t want a big fuss over him after he was gone. For those who knew him, this is surprising! All he wanted was his ashes to be brought home in his Cadillac for one final ride, then his ashes scattered out in the ocean near Shack Island in Nanaimo with both the ashes of his beloved wife Lorraine and their dog Muffin.

Although George was born June 17, 1939 in Toronto, Ontario, he spent the early years of his life growing up in Vancouver. Growing up, he spent many years in Cubs and subsequently Scouts. Later on as an adult he became heavily involved with the Scouting community for many years.

At 18 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy where as a new recruit did his basic training in HMCS Cornwallis from February to June 1957. After basic training he was posted to HMCS Naden in Victoria as a Supply Storesman. His naval career included time served on the frigates, HMCS Jonquiere, HMCS Beacon Hill, HMCS St Croix and the HMCS Terra Nova. While on the HMCS Jonquiere, he was a member of Twin 40MM Gun. He was the loader responsible for loading the right gun and at that time, without ear protection.

From July 1964 to June 1966 he and his family were posted to HMCS Churchill, Manitoba and then he was posted to another frigate at CFB Esquimalt. Once he was off the frigates, he was posted to Stores, CFB Esquimalt for the remainder of his career retiring, October 1979 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. George received the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal in 1997 in recognition of his valuable contribution to world peace while serving in Vietnamese waters aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Terra Nova from January to July 1973.

It was in high school where he met the love of his life, Lorraine. After a couple of years dating, George and Lorraine were married June 14, 1958 and settled in Victoria. They quickly started their family and had four children, Rick, Denise, Stephen and Michelle. They raised their children in Victoria and once they became empty nesters, they moved to Abbotsford after George retired from the Navy.

After a few years of living in Abbotsford, they moved back to Nanaimo to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. George and Lorraine were married for just short of their 60th wedding anniversary.

In his younger years, he loved to play the guitar. He always had some project to do in his workshops, always had a plan to make something out of the wood he kept in the yard. Ultimately, the wood rot and he would have to throw it away.

In his younger years, he loved to play the guitar. He always had some project to do in his workshops, always had a plan to make something out of the wood he kept in the yard. Ultimately, the wood rot and he would have to throw it away.

Dad’s Favourite Sayings:

1. Because I said so.

2. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

3. You’re grounded till you’re thirty.

4. Don’t make me stop this car!

5. It builds character.

6. You don’t know what hard work is.

7. Were you raised in a barn?

8. Go ask your mother.

9. A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone.

10. When I was your age…..

Pretty much sums up what Dad said to us four children, many times!!!

A Place To Rest

God looked down upon your body

So tired from hanging on

From a life so overwhelming

And he wanted back his son.

So he took away the air your breathe

And gave you what was best

A place where you could be at peace

A final place to rest.

In closing, we have all known George as a Husband, a Father, a Brother, an Uncle, a Grampa and Great-Grampa and as a friend. The last few years were hard on him, losing his wife, losing his dog and with all the restrictions of COVID. He is in a better place now, pain free and with his loved ones.

Thank you to everyone that supported George, especially over the last few years. Thank you to everyone for your words of sympathy, your voice of concern, your gesture of caring and the love you offer.

“REST IN PEACE DAD”