GEORGE ERIC HEAD

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GEORGE ERIC HEAD March 20, 1922 - July 25, 2011 Peacefully, on July 25, 2011, at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg, George passed away after a brief and courageous struggle with cancer. Dad was predeceased by his wife, Isabel, mother, Mary, father, Albert, sister, Noreen and brothers, Ted and Syd. He leaves to mourn his passing his sons, Bill (Careyn), Jim, Don (Sandy), his grandsons, Ryan, Kevin (Alecia), Greg and Jordan, his granddaughters, Alanna, Alison and Kayley, nieces Diane (Adolph), Leslie (Chris) and Betty (Danny) as well as numerous other family members and friends. He will also be greatly missed by his K-9 grand-kids Bomber and Shelby who enjoyed visits with Grampa and the treats that they always got from him. Dad lived a full life. He was born in Winnipeg, the youngest of four siblings, and was raised in old St. Vital. In his teen years he loved playing football and played competitively for a time with the St. Vital Bulldogs. In the late 1930s, he graduated from Dominion Business College which is where he met the love of his life Isabel Kernahan, the woman who would become his wife and the mother of his children. Subsequent to graduation, Dad became employed by the Insurance Company of North America (INA) in the Accounting Department. In 1941, shortly after the beginning of World War ll, Dad enlisted in the Army and very quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served Canada until 1945 when he left the Service and returned to work with the INA. In November of 1945 he married Isabel and the two of them made their home in St. Vital. After 12 years of marriage, Dad and Mom felt they weren't destined to have any children, as much as they wanted them, until Bill arrived in 1957. A year later, Jim was born. Meanwhile, Dad had been promoted to Office Manager at the Winnipeg Branch Office of the INA and was offered an opportunity for further career growth at the Company's Toronto office. So, the family packed up in 1959 and headed for Hog Town but it wasn't long until Dad's St. Vital roots beckoned him back. The big city life wasn't for Dad so he returned to his beloved St. Vital in 1960 and bought a home that was only a few blocks from the one in which he was raised. Dad took over the operation of Delta Hardware and Appliances, again in St. Vital, in the summer of 1960 and it wasn't long before the Head family was complete with the birth of Don in 1963. For the next 17 years the Head's enjoyed their life in St. Vital, participating in most elements of the community. In 1980 Mom was stricken with cancer and died a year later. This devastated Dad as she was his right arm in every aspect of his life, including his business. Despite this, Dad managed to operate Delta until 1986 when it became too much for him to handle alone and he closed the business permanently. Dad's retirement was not all he'd expected it to be with the loss of Mom at such a young age but he took solace in the fact that he had a close and supportive family. He enjoyed the simple things that life had to offer like watching his grandchildren in their sporting events, partaking in family gatherings, puttering in his yard, watching a good football or baseball game (not hockey though because it was too violent as Dad would often say) and making his occasional trips to Grand Forks. Dad had a lot of great qualities but the two that really shone were his generosity and his loyalty towards his family and friends. He always saw the good in people and things and accepted them as they were. The last several years of Dad's life were challenging for him and he required a lot of assistance to remain in his home where he wished to be. This assistance came from many people and it would be difficult to identify each and every one of them but the family wants to make special mention of some of those who stood out with an exemplary level of care and compassion that they extended to Dad. These include Dr. Mike Dillon and the health care professionals of Klinic Community Health Centre. These people were incredible supporters of Dad and went way beyond the call of duty. The WRHA, under the direction of Jennifer Amarovicz, provided enormous support for Dad as well. Nurses Robyn, Marsha, Charlene and Andrea were some of Dad's shining lights and the family is eternally grateful for their care and compassion. These ladies are indeed, angels on earth. Finally, the staff of the Victoria Hospital and the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic crews were also very good to Dad. Thank-you to all of you! Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who would like to honour Dad's memory, the family would appreciate it if you would consider a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0P3 or Klinic Community Health Centre, 870 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 0P1. There will be a private family service at a later date. Rest in peace Dad. Salon Mortuaire Desjardins Funeral Chapel 233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 06, 2011