On May 18, 2012, George Elliot passed away at 84, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Corsehope, Scotland, on February 25, 1928, the youngest son of Thomas and Mary, George completed his apprenticeship as a coachbuilder and his national service in Egypt before immigrating to Canada in 1953. George spent 8 fascinating years in Canada's Arctic, working as a maintenance mechanic, on the D.E.W. Line from the West to the East, ending on Baffin Island.

George then pursued a varied, interesting career as a heavy civil concrete superintendent in Canada and Papua, New Guinea. George was seen as a problem solver "who could get things done".

George met the love of his life, Ishbel, in 1961 and they married in 1963. George lived life well: strong family man, world traveller, lifelong learner, rockhound, photographer, rugby player and "footballer", t.v. sports enthusiast, gardener, and a lover of nature, children, dogs and cats. George embraced every challenge in life including becoming a paraplegic at age 69. George applied his strong work ethic/focus and beat the odds many times. George's quick wit, his infectious smile, mischievous eyes and kind heart will be dearly missed.

George leaves his loving family: wife Ishbel, son Alistair (Cathy) and grandchildren Jim and Margaret of Kamloops, and daughter Katrina and granddaughter Megan of Pitt Meadows. George is also survived by family in Scotland. "Papa's puppy", Hershe, dearly misses her cuddles.

Thank-you to George's doctors who gave him excellent care: Drs. H. Ritenburg, Calder, Montgomery, S. Treissman, Wijeyesinghe, Takahashi and Thomasse. Our family is also grateful to George's Kamloops Senior Village "family", both staff and residents, who provided compassionate care and friendship to George since 2009. Your heartfelt comments, calls and hugs are appreciated.

George's Celebration of life will be at Kamloops United Church, 4th and St. Paul Street, on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

If friends choose, donations may be made to the B.C. Paraplegic Society, Kidney Foundation or UNICEF in George's memory.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com.

Arrangements in care of Schoening Funeral Service.