George was born to Gertrude Paulette (Boyce) and Sidney Herbert Briant at Erith, Kent, England in 1916 during a World War One zeppelin raid.
He retained childhood memories of being outfitted with a protective tin hat.
On March 19, 1921, George sailed with his parents from Liverpool to Saint John, N.B. In 1925, the family settled in Plumas, Man.
In 1939, he married Tina Lillian Unger and they had four children: Rosemary, Bob, Gloria, and Wanda.
He joined the Canadian Army in 1941 and went overseas as part of the First Survey Unit. This unit travelled extensively in Europe and the United Kingdom, and George had many stories to tell of his experiences there.
After the war, George explored several work options to support his family, including working in a greenhouse. His love of gardening continued through his life.
In 1951 and until his retirement, he worked for the Canadian National Railway as a Roadmasters Clerk. This job took him, and his family, to Gillam, Man. and Kamsack, Sask., where he became known as a champion fisherman.
His picture appeared in the news together with his record-breaking 24.5-pound, 44-inch pike.
Following the death of his wife, Tina, George transferred with CNR to Dauphin, Man., where he continued with his love of fishing and was active in the local Legion.
In 1963, he married Eva Emily Farrell (Ainsworth), who brought her daughter, Pat, into the family. George and Eva had many happy years in Dauphin, where he opened up for Eva a whole new world of fishing and camping.
This was a world they shared enthusiastically well into their retirement years.
In 1973, George and Eva moved to Winnipeg and remained there after his retirement from the CNR. Over the years, they travelled frequently to Victoria, B.C.and to Toronto. They were intrepid travellers, also going across Canada and to England.
George loved motor vehicles and over the years of their marriage, he and Eva owned 14 cars and five campers—each a different make and model.
George and Eva enjoyed visiting their children, relatives, and friends in many parts of Canada, and always had wonderful loving stories to tell when they returned. They looked forward eagerly to family visits from their children.
In later years, George spent many happy winters in Sarasota, Fla. and many happy summers in the “upper cabin” on Rainy Lake in Fort Frances, Ont. Here, George also left the legacy of wonderfully-planted flower gardens. He loved all flowers, but especially roses.
Here, he also had many joyful moments with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was known as G’Pa to Jack and Aria; and as a great Grandpa to Ace, Max, and Blake. He became the Nintendo champion of the family.
George was a wonderful cook and created many original slow-cooker recipes. In Florida, he surprised all of us by ordering for his lunch a baked potato stuffed with caviar.
He also was a wonderful poet. He was writing serious poems at 12 years of age, and each pet dog and cat in the family had its own poem.
George was predeceased by his sister, Freda; his first wife, Tina; second wife, Eva; brother, Doug; daughter, Rosemary; and grandson, Dale.
Left to cherish his beautiful memory are daughters, Gloria, Wanda (Bill), and Pat (Gary); son, Bob (Kathy); grandchildren, Andrea, Patrick (Deanne), Heather, Cara Joy, Mylee, Greg (Heather), Mark (Sylvia), and Laurie (Don); and his wonderful great-grandchildren.
In his own words from his poem “The Long Steep Hill,” written when he was 12, George leaves you these thoughts:
“There’s a long steep hill to happiness,
Which few have ever climbed.
There’s one I know close to the top,
And I’m not far behind.
So take my hand, you at the bottom;
I’ll help you on your way.
We’ll journey up the hill together,
And so we’ll climb all day.
And on the morrow you’ll be so gay,
Gone is all your blueness.
Come, we two together will climb up
The hill to happiness.
And at the top we will find peace, and rest.”
George carried this philosophy of hope and helping others all through his life.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thomsoninthepark.com
