GEORGE MALLORY TOWNS

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GEORGE MALLORY TOWNS February 20, 1922 - March 14, 2011 With seven of his children by his side George passed peacefully at the St. Boniface Hospital in his 90th year. George was predeceased by his father Reuben and his mother Edna (Muldoon), his first wife Edythe (Tweed, mother of his ten children), his second wife Freda (Loewen) and dear friend Josephine (Jo) Fournier. Also by a brother Vincent, sister Marno, daughters-in-law Peggy (Wayne) and Judy (Gerald) and great-grandchildren Bryden and Crystal. George will be lovingly remembered by his brothers Orville (Bessie), Frank (Pearl) and Beverly (Helen), his ten children, Wayne (Mona), Gerald, Grant (Jenny), Ronald (Joan), Barry (Susan), Carol (John McNeill), Sharon, Brent (Sandra), Heather (Gary) and Lisa. Also by 27 grandchildren, Susan, Wayne Jr., Steven, Christine, Drew, Jade, Jennifer, Tara, Tracy, Quentin, Amanda, Jillian, Mathew, Angela, Linda, Nicole, Johnny, Melissa, Kyle, Luke, Daniel, Shannon, William, Shawn, Joey, Samantha and Michelle. Also by 33 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends. George grew up on the family farm near Holmfield, between Cartwright and Killarney, one mile north of Enterprise School. When George and his brothers Orville and Frank found time away from the fieldwork and chores on their parents grain-livestock farm, they made music. George earned honours in piano from the Toronto Conservatory of Music at a young age and later learned violin and banjo. The Towns Brothers entertained large dance crowds from near and far in their younger years. George continued to love and play piano until his last day. George married Edythe Tweed in 1942 and they settled down on three-quarter sections of land across the road from his parents farm. Along with running his farm, George had his own gravel business, bought and shipped cattle to Winnipeg, and travelled throughout southwestern Manitoba selling products as diverse as Wear-Ever cookware, Niagara Cyclo Massage, and pre-arranged funerals. When the older sons grew up and left the farm, George sold the farm and moved his family to Winnipeg. He worked on construction and later at the Thompson Nickel Mines. While there he was honoured to get to shake the hand of the Queen of England. George had always loved to cook. He took a Chef's course, working many years with the International Inn. Encouraged by son Wayne who already owned, George bought into Unicity Taxi and drove for several years. After Edythe passed away in 1972, George met Freda, the second love of his life, and they married in 1975. With sons Ron and Brent, George founded Towns Bros. Asphalt. George and Freda and the younger children spent many happy summers on their island in Rosina Lake. George had always enjoyed growing things and he and Freda nurtured beautiful gardens every year both at home and at their island. After Freda's retirement she and George enjoyed travelling, including many winters spent in Mesa, Arizona. Sometime after Freda's passing in 1997 from diabetes, George met another wonderful lady, Jo Fournier and they too had many happy years together, spending their winters in Mesa. George and Jo had many wonderful friends in Mesa including Bill and Elaine Strachan and Carey and Kay Verwys. The advancement of Parkinsons led Dad to retire from his asphalt business. Dad was a fighter to the end. He loved every one of his large family and will in return be forever loved and missed. Rest in peace Dad. Thanks to the emergency room and 5th floor nurses and doctors at the St. Boniface Hospital for your professionalism and empathy. In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may donate to the Parkinsons Society of Manitoba. Funeral by Cropo Funeral Chapel. Service at Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue, 4:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011. Pastor Weldon Yeo officiating.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 19, 2011