GEORGE EDWARD MASON

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GEORGE EDWARD MASON Passed away peacefully on September 15, 2003 at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 85. Born July 23, 1918 in Toronto, ON, he moved to Winnipeg at a young age growing up in Fort Garry and later in the West End of Winnipeg. He attended school at Sir Sam Steel and St. Pauls High School. George was a freelance commercial artist for the years he attended the Winnipeg School of Art. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved downhill skiing in his early days, and continued to fish and hunt near the Netley Marshes where he built his camp. He was most often heard to exclaim, "If you cant have fun, quit". George was predeceased by his father Reginald Mason, mother Elizabeth Mason, brother Lorne Mason. He is survived by his son Chris Mason and daughter Kelly Mason, brother Jack (Eff) Mason of Winnipeg, nephew Terry Mason of Ottawa, niece Wendy Greenshields (Wayne), grandniece Shannon Lee of Montreal, and niece Margaret Mason, and sister-in-law Doris Mason of Edmonton. In 1939 George joined the Fort Garry Motor Body & Paint Works Ltd. as a draftsman. Later the company was renamed Motor Coach Industries (MCI). He worked his way up in the firm through numerous and diverse departments, becoming Chief Engineer in 1949. This role expanded to include MCI Inc. in Pembina, ND in 1963. Back then MCI was owned by Greyhound Lines Inc., out of Phoenix, AZ with plants in Roswell, NM. His career flourished and he became Vice President of Engineering in January 1970, Vice President and General Manager in January 1971, President in November 1973 and Chief Executive Officer in May 1975, retiring in December 1980. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 1948 and subsequently was made a Life Member. He was also Past Chairman of the Winnipeg Chapter of the American Society of Metals 1952. Under his guidance, engineering acumen and leadership at MCI through the 1970s, new bus models were manufactured such as the Challenger MC-5B, the Crusader coaches MC-8 and MC-9. These coaches became best sellers in North America and formed the majority of the Greyhound Lines fleet of buses that carried travellers across the United States and Canada. George was very active in the marketing of these new buses and was instrumental in selling many bus orders to many foreign countries (the Taiwan government, Australia, and others through trusted and highly respected business partners). Of course in so doing, this required George to travel these far and distant countries. It was through some of these trips that he formed some very distinguished business relationships and lasting friendships. During is 43 year career at MCI, he will be remembered by some as the loud, gruff-spoken sounding man, capable of leaving many of his employees seeking refuge from his wrath. But for those who knew him well, who were loyal and dedicated workers, friends or colleagues, knew his bark was always bigger than his bite. And, for those select few who stood their ground, he respected them and became a true friend and mentor. His greatest satisfaction at work was not sitting behind the desk of the CEO or the board room but rather working directly with the engineers on the plant floor and also with the plant workers, or taking a brand new bus down to Pembina for a test run. His trips to Taiwan, Hong Kong, to name a few, kept him away from his family but there were a chosen few who were left in charge as he did love his children dearly and was always very proud of them. George lived his life the way he wanted and to the fullest. He was a "kick-ass" kind of guy but yet stood a very proud individual, a very astute and professional businessman. He had a very unique personality expressed often through his story telling and through his distinctive humour. Some people saw only one side of him and then there were some who saw another side; a man very gifted in his work, in conversation, and he had a heart of gold, but very few knew that as he kept that side of himself concealed. His spirit is free as he now begins his final journey, may he rest in peace knowing that so many of his characteristics will live on through his children, Kelly and Chris. "Climb high to that mountain where eagles soar and find your peace forever more." A service of remembrance and a private family service will be held at a later date at Garry Memorial Cemetery, Winnipeg. Those wishing to give in his memory, the family wishes that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the St. Pauls High School Bursary Fund, Winnipeg, MB. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Riverview Health Centre 4C11 for their thoughtfulness and compassionate care. Arrangements entrusted to Garry Memorial Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 21, 2003