McRae George Mariner
Mariner
January 13, 2015
McRAE, George
Big. That’s a word we all seem to be saying as we remember George McRae… big laugh, big heart, and a gigantic presence amongst family, friends and neighbours. The void that George leaves as a result of his passing on January 13, 2015 due to a short bout with cancer will be very hard to overcome for all who knew him. He may be best remembered for his big, booming laugh, which echoed far and wide –across work sites and campsites, hockey rinks and boat docks. It was the final note on so many conversations and stories, and made him the ideal Santa Claus – a role he dearly loved to play. George also loved to be involved in a project or making improvements of any kind, many of which took place in his beloved waterfront community of Belcarra, where he became well known as a man you could count on. As someone who put his shoulder into every job, George was the commander of many a Reid Island work detail, happily teaching kids the finer points of stacking wood. His skills as a canoeist and camp cook made him a perfect fit for the volunteer group “Pulling Together”, an organization working to build partnerships amongst First Nations Communities and the public service along BC’s coast. It was a project he was extremely proud to be a part of. “Gramps” to Geordana, Tyler and Dawson, George was also particularly proud of his grandkids, and was a fixture at many of their events, where he was a very effective one-man cheering section, his big voice easily heard above the crowd. Born and raised in Port Alberni along with his sister Diane and brother Ken, George moved to Vancouver as a young man where he met his wife Pat. They were married 52 years, most of which were spent at their home in Belcarra. There, they raised daughters Carey and Tracey as George skippered tugboats for many years on the Fraser River and later dedicated his time and considerable energy to his work with the IWA. This past month, George met with as many of his wide circle of friends and family as he could, shaking hands, swapping old stories and showing all of us what true bravery looks like. He loved fishing and golfing with friends including Rob, his favourite son-in-law. He loved bucking up firewood, wearing bad hats, flipping pancakes and shooting the breeze with his car club over his perfectly restored 1930 Model A on Saturday mornings. He loved his wife, he loved his family, he loved his friends, and he loved his community. He left this world a better place for having been a part of it. He was a very big man indeed. Donations to Pulling Together Canoe Society or to Port Moody Heritage Society (Ioco Ghost Town Days).
To plant a tree in memory of George McRAE, please visit Tribute Store.