George is predeceased by his wife Victoria, sisters Mary, Vicky and Lena, and brothers John and Alex. He leaves to cherish his memory his close friend, Laurel Howden of Indian Head, his loving children, Corinne Pauliuk (Harold Smith) of McLean, Rick Pauliuk (Susan) of Regina, Heather San Martin (Walter) of Burnaby and his dear sister Ann Bostock (Walter) of McLean; Grandchildren: Andrea Wolbaum (Steve) of Cochrane; Tim Lynch (Ting Zhu) of Regina; Eric Pauliuk (Edna) of Qu’Appelle; Danielle Pauliuk (Mitchell Kuhn) of Regina; Victoria and Juan San Martin of Burnaby; Great-grandchildren: Joshua Zimmer-Lynch (Regina); Karlee, Tyla and Jack Wolbaum of Cochrane; Clayton Pauliuk of Qu’Appelle as well as numerous nieces and nephews and Great nieces and nephews.
George was a singer with the Regina Rotary Choir in the late 1940’s and while working at the Saskatchewan Legislature he met his wife Vicky. In 1954, they took over the Pauliuk family homestead at McLean. During the early years of farming, George had his own trap line for Mink, Muskrat, and Beaver. He would trap as far as Midale where Beavers were destroying their park. He had many hunting buddies and many a story to tell while hunting for Deer, Pheasant, Elk, Goose and Duck.
While farming, George served for many years on the McLean Recreational Board beginning in 1968. A year earlier, for the McLean Centennial Parade, he had become the Parade Marshall – a role he continued in for 39 years – until he took ill with cancer the first time in 2007. The parades were well known for the greatest number of entries, variety of floats and live music. He continued his love for music by singing in the McLean Centennial Choir.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s George ran a feedlot of over 200 head of cattle and became very active in recruiting members for the National Farmers Union. Later he served on the boards for: Echo Lodge Nursing home (15 yrs), Indian Head Hospital (15 yrs), Indian Head Ambulance (12 yrs), Pipestone Health District (8 yrs), and 16 years as Councilor and 5 years as Reeve of the RM of South Qu’Appelle #157. During this time period he was also the Weed Inspector for the RM. George also sat on the McLean Wheat Pool Board for its entire existence!
George also had another love – collecting antiques. He and a good friend of his would hire a bulldozer and blade the Brandon town dump looking for antique bottles. The rule was the first one who touched the bottle first was the owner. He also used a few metal detectors in his day to unearth historical treasures.
While still serving his community, he attended the University of Regina (a degree was always his dream) and graduated in 1984 B.Sc at age 60 & 1986 B.Sc. Honours. He began the Masters program however due to the poor economic times in agriculture, he refocused his remarkable energy as a Federal Pest Control Officer and served as many as 8 rural municipalities at one time. To this day he is still referred to as “the Rat Man”.
George became very well read in the field of health supplements due to a “mystery” illness while going to university. In 2007 he was given 6 months to live due to cancer. He began his own regimen of health supplements after only taking one chemotherapy treatment and it went into remission until 2010. His oncologist agreed George could take health supplements in conjunction with chemo therapy and outlived the second 6 month time frame. However the side effects took a toll and he was admitted into Wolseley Lakeside Nursing Home September 20, 2011 where he passed away December 10, 2012.
Many staff members shared their stories of their good times caring for George including trying to teach them to yodel, telling jokes, and sharing his knowledge. He also was asked to entertain the residents with his yodeling which they thoroughly enjoyed.
He will always be remembered for his thirst of knowledge and desire to share that knowledge with who ever was interested. George was a very Christian man – it didn’t matter which church he was associated with, as long as he was physically able to attend. He was also asked to give sermons which he took great pride in writing.
George had a strong desire to live until he succumbed to Parkinson’s in 2012. He will be sadly missed by all who were touched by him. Many have described George as a very smart man who loved life!
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