George Greer

August 15, 1950 - May 21, 2018
George was one of the most fortunate people who could say he lived his life the way he wanted, did things when he wanted and wanted for nothing but more time to enjoy it. He spent most of his life on one Eof his many commercial fishing boats doing what he loved best.

George graduated from the University of Oregon in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography on a scholarship. He had many options at that time but chose to go back to Prince Rupert and begin a life of commercial fishing; he never wanted to work for anyone but himself nor did he ever want to wear a tie! George moved to Fairwinds, Nanoose Bay as Ea young adult when the roads were still dirt and there was no golf course yet. George spent his time between trolling, herring fishing, gill-netting and in the off season he would play every sport available. His love for sports started as a youngster and he had fond memories of his Grandmother watching him at little league and screaming at the umpire. He was a part of the "Rainmakers" high school basketball team; played badminton, baseball, slo-pitch, wally- ball, beach volleyball, volleyball, golf (he threw his clubs into the water hazards throughout Fairwinds and retired from golfing) and used to swim almost every day at Schooner Cove Marina when the had a pool. George worked hard when it was time and played harder when he was home.

He has travelled all through Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Panama. If the destination had a sandy beach and sunshine, George wanted to see it. He loved having pig roasts, going to dances, being with friends and sharing stories of his many adventures.

Having many health challenges beginning in 2000, Geo embraced life and fought on to be as healthy as he could be. A liver transplant in 2003 granted George 15 years more to build a house, build 3 herring skiffs, take up gill-netting as a "hobby", and travelled every year until recently. Not a second of that time was wasted.

After a lengthy stay at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital George decided he wanted to come home and enjoy his friends, family, good food, Ali (his faithful pooch), and his home. We had a wonderful long-weekend surrounded by all of his favorite things and people then he went to sleep for the final time early Monday morning. He leaves behind his partner of 23 years, Deanna, his brother Jim (Sandra), his sidekick (Ali), his nieces and nephew (Lori, Lisa, Jimmy) and all his friends who had the good fortune to know him.

Thank you to the amazing group of Health Care Professionals who gave George life, dignity, choices and true care: Dr. Waite - GP, Dr. Carson - Nephrologist, Dr. Natarajan - Cardiologist, Dr. Ronald - Respirologist, Dr. Love and Dr. Chopra - Palliative Care, and the entire Solid Organ Transplant Team from Vancouver General Hospital.

If anyone would like to honor George's memory with a donation, his preference would have been the BC Transplant Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation, Palliative Care Program, or the BC SPCA - Parksville. All of these organizations gave George hope, happiness and life.

A Celebration of Life will be held for George starting at 4 pm on December 1st, 2018 at the French Creek Marine restaurant (above the pub).

Finally, George loved his name and lived up to it: "G.W.G. - for work or for play".

See you later my love.