Mr. George Arthur Rich

George Rich was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the middle of three children. He met his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Roberts (also known as Ruie) in Winnipeg, and got engaged to her before he joined the Air Force. During WWII, he flew Liberator bombers that had been converted to transport troops. These assignments took him to far off places like India and Egypt.

In 1946, after the war was over, George and Ruth were married and moved to Vancouver. There they built a house and had four children: Doug, Joan, Judy and Bob.

George outlived Ruth, as well as his second wife, Dianne. He also outlived his eldest son, Doug, his grandson, Graham, and his son-in-law, Barry. Though he lost many of his contemporaries, he still had friends who came by to see him, faithfully.

With a taste for travel, George saw almost everything there was to see. He relished taking family members on trips to places like China, Japan, Russia, Italy, and Jamaica, to name a few. In his 80’s, he flew to Haiti, in support of his great grandchildren who would soon be adopted in Canada. In his 90’s, Palm Springs was his destination and the swimming pool was his recreation.

He visited over 70 countries in his lifetime!

George was an icon, a character, and a man of character and faith. He made an impression on everyone he met. You could hear George coming before you saw him—his high pitched cackle could clear a room. Both cheeky and reverent, charming and direct, he might say something hilarious and while you were spinning with laughter, he would quote scripture or an old hymn.

And he would pray for you, diligently, as he did for his children, eleven grandchildren, and twenty-four great grandchildren, remembering each by name.

A long time supporter of Anvil Island, for many years he was the level headed Chair of Daybreak Point Bible Camp. He kept serving there, wherever he could, for years of summers. Generous with finances, George and Ruth supported missionary, John Munday, and provided the land for an orphanage to be built just outside of Quito, Ecuador.

Up until his 102nd birthday, George resided at Elim Village and could still, by his own steam, make it down to the dining room for meals. He loved living at the Emerald and they were so good to him.

On his momentous birthday, George fell. He made it through hip surgery, and at first, seemed to be recovering (he was still teasing the nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital). But as the days went by, his health declined, and George made it clear that he was ready to go to heaven.

Finally, after a month, he was admitted to Laurel Place Hospice. Even there, he had his usual wit and intelligence. The thought of being present at his own funeral gave him a little chuckle. As it happened, 20 family members gathered together at the last minute in his hospice room, and sang him goodbye. And what a glorious goodbye it was.

A few hours later, he was gone to be with Jesus.