Obituary of George Gordon Briggs

George Gordon Stanley Briggs age 87, passed away peacefully after a full and happy life on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at the Extendicare Nursing Home in Moose Jaw, SK where he’d taken up residence with his wife Margaret in May 2003 after being a life-long resident of Calgary. George was born in Calgary on January 9, 1916. He attended Hillhurst Public School, Crescent Heights High School and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology where he studied industrial electricity, finishing school in 1934. During the “Hungry Thirties” jobs were very hard to find. He worked a few summers farming on the Pinkerton Brothers farm near Mossleigh, then helped on his Uncle Jim Strath’s farm near Olds. Farming didn’t pay much in those days – $20.00 a month. He worked for Rooney’s Garage on 17th Avenue and Centre Street S.W. one summer for about $6.00 a week. He also worked for Beard Electric on 8th Avenue S.W. across from Eatons for about a year and a half as a repairman and delivery boy for the top wage of $9.00 a week. George joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and went overseas returning to Calgary in 1945. He rejoined the City of Calgary Electric System as an operator at the Victoria Park steam plant, then the No. 3 Sub and No. 1 Sub. He didn’t care for shift work, so he switched to a job as a Relay Technician when this became available and retired in August 1975 as Supervisor of System Operations. George joined the Kensington Branch #264 of the Royal Canadian Legion in April, 1976 and was a life member of the Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club where he spent many happy days at golf, just a short walk from his home. He was also an avid gardener with an immaculate home and yard in N.E. Calgary adorned with flowers. His favorite past times were golf, curling and ballroom dancing with his wife Marg. As a proud Calgarian, he loved to take guests on tours of the Canadian Rockies through Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper and always ensured it was part of your visit to their home. If you happened to visit during the Calgary Stampede, the parade and grandstand show would also be part of your agenda. George is survived by his loving wife Margaret Briggs (nee Gibson) of Expanse, SK and two sons Dennis, a high school teacher in Toronto, ON, and Larry, a Manager of Corridor Operations for the CNR in Toronto, retired in 2001 currently residing with his wife Phyllis in London, ON. He is also survived by a granddaughter Julie, a new resident of Calgary, and a grandson Robert of London, ON, both children of Larry and Phyllis. He was predeceased by his parents, Stella in 1977 and Stanley in 1932 and a brother Mervin in 1934. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells, (2720 Centre Street North), on Monday, December 1, 2003 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North), on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Immediately following the Graveside Service, relatives and friends are invited to celebrate George’s life at the Calgary Elks & Golf Club (2502 – 6 Street N.E.). Snacks and refreshments will be served from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, #201, 222 – 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3. Telephone: (403) 290-0110, directly to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, Suite 100, 2629 – 29 Avenue, Regina, SK S4S 2N9. Telephone: 1-888-843-3557, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. A tree will be planted in the Spring of 2004 at the Calgary Elks & Golf Club as a living memorial.