George William Cliff

George William Cliff, 90 years of age, passed away at home on February 22, 2016. He was born on January 12 1926 at St Joseph's Hospital in Victoria, to George and Clara Cliff. He was their only child. George grew up on West Saanich Rd and attended Mt Newton High School in Central Saanich. Upon graduation he worked for the Victoria Ice Company and later moved into Victoria. In 1954 he was employed as a male orderly at the Wilkinson Mental Health Facility, now the Vancouver Island Correctional Centre. Later he worked as a custodian and an assistant to the Steam Engineer for the BC Government. He aspired to become a Steam Engineer and at 43 years of age returned to school to obtain his 4th and then 3rd Class Engineering Certificates. From 1971 to 1984, George was employed as a Steam Engineer at the ‘Heating Plant’ for the Legislative Buildings. George was married to Patricia (nee Sherar) November 1 1955 at St John’s Anglican Church in Victoria. They met at a Hudson Bay Co. staff dance, at the Crystal Ballroom at the Empress Hotel. The couple honeymooned at Harrison Hot Springs outside of Vancouver. They had three children, two twin girls, Margaret and Kathleen, born June 1 1958, and a boy, George William (Bill), born March 26 1960. George is survived by his wife and three children, and second cousins in England, New Zealand and Australia. George also loved boating and fishing. He fished off the shores of Vancouver Island near Discovery and Trial Islands. In 2008, he won a trophy for the largest Spring Salmon caught in the James Bay Angler’s Fishing Derby. George was also a great gardener. He tilled the backyard at his home, each and every year for 60 years. He prided himself in starting plants from seed and created a ‘jungle’ of bush beans, scarlet runners, squash, zucchini, peas and onions, as well as raspberries. His secret was grass cuttings, compost, ashes and fish bones. George was an avid handyman. He loved do-it-yourself magazines and prided himself in being able to fix anything. George had a basement full of tools and parts. In his retirement, he excelled at shuffleboard and was well recognized for his skills.

A Celebration of Life for Mr. George W. Cliff will be held at the First Memorial Burial Gardens, 4725 Falaise Drive. Victoria, BC, on Sunday March 6, 2016. Family and friends will hold a private ceremony at 10:30 am in the Garden of Memories.

Condolences and messages can be left online. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, BC.