SLIPP, GEORGE - George W. Slipp, a prominent pharmacist, businessman and community leader, passed away at age 78 on Monday, May 21st in Sarasota, Florida. George led a life of interest and impact, and is dearly missed. George was born in Woodstock, N.B. in 1933 to Wendell and Christina Slipp. He graduated from Woodstock High, Rothesay Collegiate School, and Dalhousie University where he studied pharmacy. While at Dalhousie, he played on the Varsity Football team, and later chaired the campaign for the creation of the Dalhousie University Pharmacy Endowment Fund. George was a confident man who endeavoured to lead, and became a very successful pharmacist. He started his career as president of the Newnham and Slipp Pharmacy in Woodstock. Over many years he was an active member of the New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society. In 1980 he became a member of the Council and served as president of the Society from 1982-83. George was the recipient of the A.H. Robins Bowl of Hygeia for outstanding Community Service, and received the CPhA Meritorious Service Award in 1985. George facilitated and led many community associations including Rotary, Masonic Lodge, Shiners, St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Cancer Society. As Chairman of the Woodstock 60th Anniversary Committee, he was instrumental in building a new campus of the New Brunswick Community College in Woodstock. He served as a New Brunswick representative on the Canadian Conference on Confederation, a member of the 1993 Buffalo, New York World University Games Committee, as President of the Carleton Manor in Woodstock, Chairman of the Dalhousie University Annual Campaign and Chairman of the Dalhousie Pharmacy Endowment Fund. His leadership in entrepreneurial ventures also includes a number of establishments in New Brunswick such as the Northern Carleton Pharmacy in Florenceville and the development of Bicentennial Place in Woodstock. After more than 30 years in pharmacy, he sought new ventures in his career, and became a pioneer in the duty-free industry in Canada. Quickly recognized as a leading operator, he was on the front line in the creation of the North American Duty Free Association. George remained active at the Woodstock Duty Free Shop, and CEO of the Peace Bridge Duty Free until the time of his passing. An avid sportsman, George’s university football team was recently inducted into the Dalhousie Football Hall of Fame and his basketball team, the Woodstock Senators, played in the national championships with George as centre. After starting a family, George loved skiing, sailing, playing tennis, and fly-fishing on his beloved Mirimichi River with friends and family. He was instrumental in pulling together a group to purchase the Mirimichi Salmon Club where he spent many happy times with family and friends. In his fifties he became obsessed with golf, and tried not to miss a day on the links for more than 20 years—although he recently began to cut back to three or four times a week. He had a passion for golf, and took pleasure in introducing his sons and grandchildren to his golf buddies from his Monday-Friday group. Always a gracious and generous host, George loved to welcome family and friends to his camp in Juniper and to his homes in Fort Erie, Ontario and Sarasota, Florida. He was a spirited mentor, a favorite uncle, and a beloved father, grandfather and husband. George is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara; three sons, David (Lisa), Mark (Lynn), and John (Darla); six grandchildren, Connor, Taylor, Laura, Marshall, Cameron, and Sarah; a sister, Mary Billingsley of Acton, Mass., and nephews Michael and Tom. George was predeceased by his parents Wendell and Christina (Hillman) Slipp, and his niece Jennifer (Billingsley) McCabe.
Visitation will be held at the Scott Funeral Home 815 Main street, Woodstock, NB on Sunday, May 27th from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral will be held at the St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Woodstock, NB on Monday, May 28th at 2 p.m. Rev. Shirley Noseworthy will be officiating assisted by Rev. Canon Walter Williams, and Rt. Rev. George Lemmon. A memorial will be held at the Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ontario on June 3rd at 3 p.m. and also at the Oaks Club in Osprey, Florida in November. Donations may be made to the Woodstock Rotary Club Foundation. www.scottfh.com