George Reane Coutts
1920 ~ 2010
Dad passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital with family at his side on January 7th, 2010. He was 89.
George is predeceased by his beloved war bride Vera (Vee), his eldest daughter Susan Vipond, his brother Robert and brother-in-law Norm Davis.
George is survived by his beloved and loyal companion of the last 10 years, “Otto” his miniature dachshund. Daughters: Eileen (Tom) McCliesh of Crofton, Katy (Ron) Williams of Crofton. Son in law: Ron Vipond of Calgary. Grandchildren: Terry Vipond of Ottawa, Laura Vipond of Calgary, Hailey and Cody (twins) of Crofton, Vanessa Falle, Trevor Agar, Angela, Colleen and Bob Jr. Great Grandchildren: Noah and Seth, Sister: Ursula Davis. Nieces: Lesley Butler of London, England, Patricia and Gaynor Coutts of Vancouver, Valerie and Beverly Davis of Brampton, Ontario, Lorna Clark of England. Nephews: Jim Coutts of Toronto, Derek Clark of England.
Dad as a young man worked in northern Ontario in the mining industry as a hoistman. At the age of 19 with his brother Bob, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery, and served Canada in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and the Central Mediterranean Area. He served along side his brother Bob for 6 years, until the War ended in 1946. He received 1935-45 Star, Italy Star, France Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. He returned home to Canada to await the arrival of his bride Vera who arrived in 1947. He returned to Military life in the RCAF in the early 50’s, retired in 1970. He then pursued a career in the forest industry as an Industrial First Aid attendant/time keeper at Power River, Raven Lumber and Kelsey Bay when he retired for good, in 1986. Now he could follow his passion full time “fishing” he loved to fish! He enjoyed other pleasures as well as crossword puzzles, gardening and canning his booty and most important of all spending time with his buddies at the Comox Legion. He was the Honorary Vice President of Comox Legion Branch 160 and received the Meritorious Service Award in 1995 and was a member for 65 years. He was a member of the Masons (Past Master) Cumberland Lodge #26, the Scottish Rite-Valley of Victoria, and the Shriners of North America. Dad was very gregarious, always had a joke to tell and there was never a lull in the room as he had many a story to tell, he was generous with his time, he volunteered in many capacities and always looked forward to cooking the hamburgers at the Legion picnics. He had a great passion for animals, especially dogs. he loved to cook and he was great at that. We will miss his laugh and that twinkle in his eyes.
We would like to thank the nurses at St Joseph’s Hospital ECU and Oceanview for their loving care of our Dad, he though the world of you all. Thank you Doctor Musgrave for looking after Dad, thank you to Hospice Volunteers, Maybeth, Anne, Inear and Bonnie. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Dad’s dear and special friends Ken Seymour and Joe Johansen, Careth Mcnutt and neighbours Tim and Jocelyn Steele, Heather and Trevor Ruckman, and Wayne King, also Dick and Marilyn Smith.
No flowers please in lieu of, donations can be made to: SPCA, Sick Children’s Hospital, Cancer Society, Alzheimer Society or the Canadian Institute for the Blind, these are some of the organizations that were dear to Dad’s heart.
We Will Remember Them! A Poppy Service will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Comox, BC on Friday January 15, 2010 at 1:00pm.