GEORGE RYCKMAN

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GEORGE RYCKMAN It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of George Oliver Wellington Ryckman at Seven Oaks Hospital on Friday, May 23, 2008. He will be greatly missed by Gytha his beloved wife of 73 years, daughter Mary-Lynne (Ed) Braun, son Hal (Gail), daughter-in-law Agnes, and his many adoring grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his son Ronald, parents John and Mary, brothers Earl and Jack, and sisters Lovina, Gertie Kingston, Lillie Johnson, and Lois Osborne. Born in 1910 in Oil Springs, Ontario, Dad spent his early years on the farm of his maternal grandparents, later moving with his family to Sarnia and eventually to Winnipeg where he attended Pinkham School. He spent most of his working life as a carpenter and a carpentry instructor. After building many houses his greatest joy was the house he and Gytha built together at Stony Mountain where they lived for 38 wonderful years. After retiring, Dad and Mom travelled frequently and spent 17 winters enjoying their winter home in southern California. Dad was a gifted musician playing the piano, bass fiddle and vibraphone. He played with many dance bands over the years, notably The Ripcords, The Western Seven and The Shrine Orchestra. He also performed solo for several years as Big George at The Old Spaghetti Factory and The Round Table. Dad trained to become a certified piano tuner and technician and was in much demand, often entertaining his clients with a few songs after completing the job. Freemasonry was an important part of Dad's life. He was a lifetime member of both The Dormer and Stony Mountain Masonic Lodge serving as Worshipful Master of The Dormer in 1961 and of Stony Mountain in 1994. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 10th Masonic District in 1963 and was a member of Khartoum Temple of the Shrine. At the age of 84 Dad got a computer and decided to write his memoirs so his children and grandchildren would know something of the influences that affected his life and the environment in which he grew up. He noted that he had lived almost the whole of the 20th century. Ninety-five percent of the total knowledge of the world was gained in the 20th century, and I was here during the change from the old to the new His book, 20th Century and Me, interweaves the advances made in the world with his life story. In 1999 George and Gytha moved to Amber Meadow, where Dad continued to share his music with the residents there. The family would like to thank the management and all their friends at Amber Meadow for their kindness to George and Gytha over the years. Thank you also to Dr. Goeke and the nursing staff on U2 level three at Seven Oaks Hospital. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Stony Mountain Recreation Centre with interment to follow in the Stony Mountain Cemetery. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 27, 2008