William "George" Edmunds

William "George" Edmunds began his final journey home on December 6, 2016 at the age of 90 years. George was a recent resident at the Brentwood Care Centre after an extended stay on Unit 56 of the Rockyview Hospital, in Calgary.

George was born the eldest of seven children to Douglas and Winifred Edmunds Blood, in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Always a hard worker and born into the life of a poor farm family, George found his tasks as a young lad would be many and varied. Times were often hard as they tried to eke out a living through the Dirty Thirties. George's love of trucking began with a job hauling fuel for Sandmire's Garage and continued throughout his working years, until he retired from Economy Carriers 44-years later.

George was married to his childhood sweetheart Florence Curts on December 9, 1944 and together, they had six children. That number grew to include fifteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and thirteen great-great-grandchildren. After the passing of Florence in 1999 and being a loyal friend, George became a regular visitor at the nursing home where his very ill trucking buddy lived. It was through this relationship, while offering support to his now deceased friend's wife, that George and Dolores became more than friends. This led to their exchange of marriage vows in May 2004.

George was in regular attendance at the South Calgary Community Church where he formed some wonderful lasting friendships with a group of men who also gathered every Wednesday at a local coffee spot to talk over whatever it is that men talk over. This was his life and he enjoyed it very much until he fell ill and was hospitalized on January 29, 2016. George would never again be well enough to return home. On November 2, 2016, George was moved to his new residence at the Brentwood Care Centre, where he lived until his passing.

George is survived by his loving wife Dolores Joyce Edmunds of Calgary; his children Irene Bosart of Alexandria, Ohio, Sandra Keats (Bill) of Calgary, Patty Edmunds (Dennis) of Meadow Creek, BC, Victor (Susan) of Cochrane, AB, and Ken (Dianne) of Calgary. He is also survived by his previously mentioned grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; as well as his brother Albert (Dorothy) of Morinville, AB, and brother Gilbert (Louise) of Calgary. In addition to his first wife Florence, George was predeceased by his daughter Georgette Thomson; grandson Robbie Keats and granddaughter Carolyn Mundziak; and sons-in-law John Thomson and Glen Olsen. He was also predeceased by his sister Muriel, and brothers Harry and Douglas.

A Celebration of George's Life will be held at Foster's Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

George's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Unit 56 at the Rockyview Hospital for the 8-months of care, chiding and giggles they exchanged with George. He never really got over missing you all after his move to the Brentwood Care Centre. To David at the Brentwood Care Centre, for the kind and gentle way in which you treated George, we thank you.