George William Sobotka, age 88, died peacefully at the Lillooet District Hospital, after a long battle with cancer and congestive heart failure, on October 8, 2012.
George was born to John and Mary, on September 26, 1924 in Esterhazy SK. George moved with his family to Squamish, then to Fountain Valley in 1939. He met and married Claire Smith in 1952.
George succeeded as a cattle rancher in Fountain Valley for over 50 years. He was granted honorary membership in the Xaxli’p (Fountain) Band of the St’át’imc Nation as an Elder, an honour he deeply respected. The family appreciates very much, that the Xaxli’p Band on October 13 provided the Band Hall and homemaking services for a gathering and meal in his name, respecting his honorary status.
A road in Fountain Valley named Sobotka Road will forever mark his place in this world, as permanently as George endeared himself, in the hearts of all who knew him. He was generous with his time, and would always give away his prolific garden bounty, to anyone that needed it. If you asked for a bucket full, you got a gunny sack full. He will also be fondly remembered as a word carver, creating a lifelong legacy of hand cut wood work.
George is survived by wife Claire and his children Luan and John, grandchildren Tyrin, Brianne, Brandon and Christian, and his great-grand daughter Cora (in photo).
Also surviving is George’s sisters Mary, Adeline and Blanche.
George is pre-deceased by brothers John and Frank and sisters Rose, Mildred and Violet. In the future, his cremated remains will be scattered “Up The Mountain”, which he loved so much.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered,
Gorgeous George simply responded
“That I just got on with it”.
Those that know George,
will know what he meant, and smile.