Obituary for George Stuart Mainwaring
George passed away peacefully on the morning of February 26, 2020 listening to his favorite song “Down in the Glen” with his family by his side.
George lived a long and happy life. He was born to Janet (nee Stuart) and George Mainwaring in Edinburgh, Scotland on April 10, 1931. He grew up playing football (#7), every chance he could and was known for his speed on the wing.
George attended Boroughmuir High School in Scotland, and after high school, he did his National Service for 2 years, stationed in Austria. He played high-level soccer in Scotland as a young adult as well as after he immigrated to Canada.
George was a stockbroker in Edinburgh. It was there he met Margaret Hamilton. The two of them often enjoyed dancing at the Palais dance hall.
In 1955, George was hired by the Bank of Nova Scotia. The bank sent him to Vancouver on his first assignment. Within the first week of living in Vancouver, one of the trainers of a local soccer team went into the branch that George was working at and asked him if he had brought “his boots”. He hadn’t, but the trainer said he could find him a pair. George made good friends with his teammates, many of whom were from Glasgow. A number of years later when he went back to visit his family in Edinburgh, he was speaking with a broader Scottish accent than when he left!
Margaret joined George in Vancouver and they were married in 1957. They welcomed two daughters, Lyn and Peri. The family spent many happy summer holidays in Penticton, and Kelowna. For many years, they would meet up with friends at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, swim during the day and go dancing in the evening at the Copper Room.
George worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 38 years in various roles. In the last 5 years of his career, he became vice president of the brokerage side of the bank in Vancouver.
George retired from the bank in 1994. He volunteered for Community Speed Watch with the RCMP. An opportunity to sell Canada Savings Bonds kept him busy for several years after which he finally retired for real to spend time with Margaret and his family.
George and Margaret enjoyed travelling, and especially taking cruises, for many years. They cruised to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska and Spain. George also enjoyed golfing, skiing and curling in his earlier years.
The last few years were tough for Dad, but he always had a great smile for the camera. His favorite saying was “How lucky can you be!” Indeed, we were lucky to have a Dad and husband like you.
George was predeceased by his parents and his brother Stuart.
He leaves his wife Margaret of 63 years, daughter Lyn (Gabor), their children Emily and Adam; Peri (Dave), their children Lucas and Maggie. He also leaves his sister Dorothy (Dorrie) and her husband George Ainslie and their family David and Linda in Scotland and Suzanne in Australia, as well as other relatives and friends in Scotland, England and Canada. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. LeBrun as well as the nurses, care aides and staff at Lynn Valley Care Centre, where George was a resident for the past 4 months.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
George lived a long and happy life. He was born to Janet (nee Stuart) and George Mainwaring in Edinburgh, Scotland on April 10, 1931. He grew up playing football (#7), every chance he could and was known for his speed on the wing.
George attended Boroughmuir High School in Scotland, and after high school, he did his National Service for 2 years, stationed in Austria. He played high-level soccer in Scotland as a young adult as well as after he immigrated to Canada.
George was a stockbroker in Edinburgh. It was there he met Margaret Hamilton. The two of them often enjoyed dancing at the Palais dance hall.
In 1955, George was hired by the Bank of Nova Scotia. The bank sent him to Vancouver on his first assignment. Within the first week of living in Vancouver, one of the trainers of a local soccer team went into the branch that George was working at and asked him if he had brought “his boots”. He hadn’t, but the trainer said he could find him a pair. George made good friends with his teammates, many of whom were from Glasgow. A number of years later when he went back to visit his family in Edinburgh, he was speaking with a broader Scottish accent than when he left!
Margaret joined George in Vancouver and they were married in 1957. They welcomed two daughters, Lyn and Peri. The family spent many happy summer holidays in Penticton, and Kelowna. For many years, they would meet up with friends at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, swim during the day and go dancing in the evening at the Copper Room.
George worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 38 years in various roles. In the last 5 years of his career, he became vice president of the brokerage side of the bank in Vancouver.
George retired from the bank in 1994. He volunteered for Community Speed Watch with the RCMP. An opportunity to sell Canada Savings Bonds kept him busy for several years after which he finally retired for real to spend time with Margaret and his family.
George and Margaret enjoyed travelling, and especially taking cruises, for many years. They cruised to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska and Spain. George also enjoyed golfing, skiing and curling in his earlier years.
The last few years were tough for Dad, but he always had a great smile for the camera. His favorite saying was “How lucky can you be!” Indeed, we were lucky to have a Dad and husband like you.
George was predeceased by his parents and his brother Stuart.
He leaves his wife Margaret of 63 years, daughter Lyn (Gabor), their children Emily and Adam; Peri (Dave), their children Lucas and Maggie. He also leaves his sister Dorothy (Dorrie) and her husband George Ainslie and their family David and Linda in Scotland and Suzanne in Australia, as well as other relatives and friends in Scotland, England and Canada. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. LeBrun as well as the nurses, care aides and staff at Lynn Valley Care Centre, where George was a resident for the past 4 months.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.