September 20, 2024
In loving memory ~
1933 - 2024
After a short illness, our dad passed away on September 20, 2024, in Vernon, BC at the age of 91. George was born in 1933 in the farming community of Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan where he grew up with his three siblings and a large extended family of farmers and pioneers. Eventually all the family left Saskatchewan for other places. As a young man, George also moved and ended up in Kitimat, BC in 1954. This was during the construction of the new Alcan aluminum smelter and where dad started his career as a stationary power steam engineer. He began to forge his mark in the world.
Shortly after, he met our mom Pat (Kim Louise) and lifetime partner. They were married in 1956 and were together for over 68 years. Soon after getting married, they started their family and life-long journey together. As our dad pursued his career, our family moved to many cities and towns throughout BC. We eventually moved to Vernon in 1970, before moving to Nelson in 1974. After stops in other towns, George and our mom again ended up back in Vernon. The year was 1986.
Wherever we moved, wherever we lived, our parents made friends with the neighbours, with work mates, and with people in the community. Because of their desire to seek out friendships, our lives as a family were truly enriched.
George loved his family and his friends. Our parents' place became known as Grand Central Station. Their home was a gathering place that our whole large extended family and many friends would come to build memories together and share life experiences, where grandkids found the meaning of family and the value that family meant. George was proud of his family, and it showed.
George was a long-time member of the Nelson and Vernon Gyro clubs that played an important role in his life. Being a service club that was focused on friendships, our dad was a natural, and here he nurtured many long-lasting relationships.
George reached the level of a first-class stationary power steam engineer before leaving the profession in 1986 and buying a business in Vernon. He retired in 1995 and spent his retirement years with my mom, socializing with friends and family, doing some traveling and spending many summers at the Gyro Club Mable Lake property. They hosted many a family event at this location, sharing the space with family and many valued friends. It was a good time and place to enjoy the rewards of retirement.
Our dad is survived by our mom, Pat Jobb, their three daughters- Celeste Kilmartin (Darrell), Alana Pethick (Mike), Sylena Webster (Ken) - and son, Trevor Jobb (Laura), as well as many grand and great grandchildren.
We have our memories and our shared times to cherish that we can all reflect on as we process the loss and move through our own journey.
Our mom and family will miss our dad.