Obituary of PERRY – George Vernon

December 14, 1914 – March 21, 2010 George Perry passed away peacefully early in the morning on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at the age of 95. Born in Grenfell, SK the son of tough pioneers of the Canadian west with roots in Ontario going back to 1790, George grew up as a child of the depression. He learned the lessons of thrift and hard work. As a young man, newly married, he hoped to take his place in the farming community near Neilburg, SK. But asthma stopped his dream. Instead they moved west to Nanaimo. Eventually he and Alice moved back to Bragg Creek, AB where they operated a general store. Then in 1950, they moved into Calgary. A hard worker he eventually became shop foreman at McCosham’s Moving and Storage. George participated in many community activities including serving his church. He volunteered for twenty-two years at the Food Bank. He loved the outdoors and many weekends were spent camping in the mountains. In later years, he was a long time member of the Second Sixties outdoor club, serving as trail boss for four years. He loved telling stories about the early days, music and dancing, riding horseback in the Rockies, and cross country skiing. Throughout his life he maintained an insatiable curiosity about almost everything. No one could ask more questions than he could, which left some to call him fondly “curious George.” He read vociferously in search of answers and to find out what others had done and thought. He will be remembered by those closest to him for his total devotion to family, his boundless energy, and that curious mind. He leaves behind his wife of sixty-eight years, Alice; and his two children, Lorne and Verna; along with daughter-in-law Dale Lamont; son-in-law Bob Johnson; and two grandchildren, Alissa and Laurence. All of whom loved him dearly. In his memory, a gathering of friends and family will be take place at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. George’s ashes will be returned to the Manitou Cemetery in Saskatchewan. Forward condolences through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Society, 5000 – 11 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5, Telephone: (403) 253-2059, . Our greatest thanks to the staff in Ward 81 at the Foothills Hospital. In living memory of George Perry, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.