HERBERT BATIS GEORGE

Herbert Batis George passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011.
Herb was born Feb. 22, 1936, the eldest son of the late Edward and Agnes George.
Herb was raised and has spent his entire life in the Rainy River District. He held many different jobs throughout his years, working with his uncles doing commercial fishing at a young age, then continuing with the Public Works on the Manitou, building a dam.
Herb also had worked for a period of time with J.A. Mathieu Ltd., as well as worked on the Hallett for a quite a few years and operated the bug called “Lady George.∏
Herb later was employed with the Ontario Minnesota Pulp & Paper. He also spent many years working in the logging industry, with a break between helping to build the Noden Causeway.
Herb enjoyed hunting with his friends on the Wannigan and spending time with his family. He also travelled to many hockey tournaments and was an avid fan of the local junior hockey teams.
He was united in marriage to Jennie McPherson (nee Salamund) in March, 1972. Together they raised three children.
Herb leaves to mourn his wife, Jennie; daughter, Cheryl (Rick) Wright, and son, Brian McPherson, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., and son, Karl George (special friend Gina Wyder) of Fort Frances, Ont.; as well as his grandchildren, Brittany, Michael, and Baeley.
Herb also is survived by two sisters, Fran (Hank) Nelson of Emo, Ont. and Patricia George of Gatineau, Que.; four brothers, Joe (Phyllis), John (Dylinda), Wayne (special friend Bev), and Jim (Sherri); two sisters-in-law, Audrey Klienpeter of Baton Rouge, La. and Diane (Pat) Cleveland of Wetaskiwin, Alta.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edward (1974) and Agnes (2006); brother, Bob (1972); three sisters in infancy; and his in-laws, Anna Salamund (1998) and Bill Salamund (1982).
Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont., with prayers offered at 7:30.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Francis Pudacherry officiating.
Burial and luncheon to follow at Our Lady of Lourdes at Couchiching.
The pallbearers will be Brad George, Chris George, Larry George, Neil George, Travis George, and Bob George.
The honorary pallbearers will be Dempsey Calder, Doug Calder, Pete Calder, Donnie Galbraith, Ray Wreggitt, and Art Woods.
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
Then God combined these qualities.
When there was norhting more to add,
He knew his masterpiece was complete.
And so, he called it . . . “Dad”