George William Lawrence

1928-2022

With heavy hearts George’s family share the news of his Promotion to Glory at the age of 93 on February 8th 2022 at the Evergreen Baptist Campus of Care in White Rock, BC.

George was born in Liverpool (Walton) England to George Sr. and Isabella Lawrence on October 2, 1928. He loved spending his childhood Saturdays with his younger brother Eric, peeking through the holes in the fence at the Anfield Stadium to watch his beloved soccer team in Red play their weekly football match. The family soldiered at the Liverpool Walton Salvation Army Corps where George along with his dad and brother, played in the band.

George and Eric left home to play in the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Band at the Glencorse Barracks, in Edinburgh in 1947. In 1948, while on leave from the Royal Lancers, George met his first love, Jeanne Lucille Barber in Scarborough, Yorkshire. They married on December 19, 1949 and settled in Liverpool close to George’s parents.

George and Jeanne started their family in January 1951 when David was born. However, George was not able to meet his son until he was 4 months of age, as he was stationed in Detmold Germany with the Lancers Band. The joy of a growing family was soon followed by grief when George’s brother Eric was killed tragically in Detmold in April 1951. George and Jeanne continued to expand their family with Susan in August 1955 and then Christine in June 1957.

In late November 1957 George immigrated to Canada and settled in Vancouver where he had a maternal uncle. He found a job and a home for the family who followed him in January 1958. As a family they embraced life in Canada enjoying summer camping trips to the Okanagan and Camp Sunrise with the many lifelong friends made at the Salvation Army Temple. In the mid 1960’s, George’s parents immigrated to Canada to complete the family. In the following years, there were many fun and memorable Christmas’, weddings, birthdays, and family vacations shared together.

Being a dependable husband and father was of the utmost importance to George. He certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving and providing for his family. Sadly in 1995, George lost his wife Jeanne to her courageous battle with cancer.

George worked as a type setter/printer for Evergreen Press (1957- 1960) and then Burroughs Printing (1960-2015), retiring at the admirable age of 87.

On September 11, 1999, with the blessing of their families, George married lifelong family friend and Salvationist, Rosalie Sampson, settling as newlyweds in North Vancouver BC. Together they have enjoyed over 20 years of love and extended family events. In 2015, after 74 years of beloved banding service, George retired from the Cariboo Temple band, and relocated with Rosalie to Abbotsford BC. It was in January 2019, after complications from bladder cancer surgery; George made the difficult decision to move into long term care at Peace Portal Seniors Village and then Evergreen Baptist Campus of Care in White Rock BC.

George is predeceased by his Brother (1951), Mother (1983), his wife Jeanne (1995), and his Father (2003).

George is survived and sorely missed by his wife Rosalie, his children: David Lawrence (Marcia), Susan Birtch (David), Christine Ackerman (Barry), Grand children: Nicola Michaud (Chad), Tasha McKay (Jason), Carly Lawrence, Dylan Ackerman (Lindsey) and Great grandchildren: Luca, Carter, and Hudson Mckay, Alice, and Lily Michaud and Calvin Ackerman. George is also survived by Rosalie’s four children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. George has remained close with and is very loved by many extended family members residing in Mission, Oliver, Victoria, and England.

Our family would like to thank the many friends who loved and supported George the last few years with visits, flowers, and cards of encouragement. Each visit, card, and letter brought him such joy. Our family would also like to thank the Administration and Care Teams for the care and compassion shown to Dad while in Long Term Care.

A memorial service will be held at Cariboo Hill Temple on February 26th 2022 at 11am PST. George will then be laid to rest in the Benediction Corner, at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burnaby BC. Service will be live streamed @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sh2KPlyOsVs

Peace Perfect Peace dad, you’ll never walk alone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you visit or send cards of encouragement to any residents living in Long Term Care.