GEORGE MICHAEL WOODS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GEORGE MICHAEL WOODS October 12, 1940 - December 11, 2017 George, cherished husband of Karin, absolutely beloved grampa of Harlow, and adored and adoring father of Ryan, died gently in midmorning. Ryan was at his bedside. George died in St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care unit of pleural mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. George will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his siblings, Nan, Gerry, Fay, Jim (Joan), Allan (Terry), Norman and Hugh, as well as Karin's sisters and brother and their significant others. He will also be missed by Sarah, Elizabeth Woods, John Rogers, Glenn Greenberg and Michelle. Many of his nieces and nephews of both Woods and Kozub families will have aching hearts for they dearly loved Uncle George. He was so special to them. He shared warm relationships with several of Karin's cousins. He is also survived by a brother, John Donaldson. George was predeceased by Les and Anne Woods (Cassidy), Peter and Anna Kozub, his sister Jane Rogers, brothers-in-law Stu Brackenbury and Al Macaulay, and Karin's niece Anna (in infancy). George was aptly named. He was called upon by truly countless numbers of people for advice and assistance - whether it was a major electrical project or getting a bird out of the fireplace after it came down the chimney and everything else in between. Let George do it and he could and he did. He had a strong sense of social justice which led to his spirit of volunteerism. He coached hockey, was director of the hockey program at River Heights Community Centre for many years, served as the chair of his local of the CAW (Canadian Auto Workers now UNIFOR) for many years and even continued on after he had retired from CN. He volunteered for a time with the Thursday morning group at Young United Church doing electrical work and consultation for Crossways in Common. A few years ago he was asked, along with other CAW skilled trade workers from across Canada to work on a volunteer project sponsored by the CAW Social Justice Committee, to go to Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation in the Yukon, to replace over 50 contaminated wells. The commitment was supposed to be two weeks for each team. It seems that George was the person who got the project in motion and he was asked to stay an extra two weeks and to go back the following year to help finish the job. George was very taken with the Yukon so he and Karin took an extended trip to Alaska and Yukon a couple of years later. When they arrived at Little Salmon they were not allowed to pay for anything, even their morning coffee. The chief presented George with a beautiful carved mask in appreciation of his leadership. In December, 2016, George rescued a young, homeless woman on a bitterly cold day. He ended up driving her to her mother's home over 100 km. away in stormy, frigid conditions. That was the essence of George. He believed we are meant to help one another. George and Karin married in 1963 and a few years later George, who was then a journeyman electrician, decided to go to university as he wanted to be a teacher. He took a job at CN Rail so he could go to university during the day and work evenings. After a short time he changed his mind about teaching but loved studying. He graduated with a BA majoring in history and political science. George was intelligent and well read. He loved a good discussion/argument. He could be quite passionate and stubborn especially when discussing history or politics. He had an Irish temper and came by it honestly as his maternal and paternal roots were in Ireland. After George became involved with the IBEW and especially the CAW he really enjoyed his job. He had found his calling. George was a master renovator and still had many projects that will remain unfinished. George was very athletic and played many sports throughout his life. He ran in and completed the first Manitoba Marathon in 1979, 13 days after Ryan was born. 25 years later he did the half marathon. George took up downhill skiing when he was in his 30s and it became his passion. When Ryan was five years old George took him to Banff to downhill ski and they skied together almost every winter for the next 31 years. Rossland was the place they loved best. George had skied at Rossland for four decades so was part of the "scene". George and Karin also did cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, all types of hiking and especially enjoyed the challenges of mountain hiking which they took up at age 60. They were both nature lovers and they loved gardening, travelling, camping and going for drives down back-country roads or just sitting in their yard and looking at the birds and insects and enjoying the solitude. They had lots and lots of picnics. Both were avid cyclists. They loved Manitoba and would often visit small towns or villages, stay at Bed and Breakfasts and explore the surrounding area. They were fortunate to both retire when they were in their 50s. George was very strong and very fit. He had great endurance and stamina. Because he was so fit and healthy he really enjoyed life. George will be missed by his many friends: the CAW gang, the skiers, family members, long time and recent friends, neighbours. He will be greatly missed by the "runner boys". They definitely had a very special bond. There is no finite capacity for loving and caring and George loved and cared deeply for many. The little trio that meant more than anyone or anything to George, that was closest to his heart and to whom he was absolutely devoted was Karin, Ryan and Harlow. He would do anything for us. Ryan and I want to thank our family and friends for their constant love and support for us and for George, St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care, the community Palliative Care team, CancerCare and especially urgent CancerCare, Health Sciences Centre emergency staff, Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba, the medical workers who tended to George during his illness, and Family Medical Centre. George had registered with MAID and we thank them for their compassion and professionalism. We were fortunate that in the end George did not require MAID and died peacefully. In February Ryan will scatter George's ashes on one of his favourite runs at Rossland. In Winnipeg there will be a gathering to honour and celebrate George's life, probably in late April or early May. Details will be announced closer to the date. George loved and was loved. A part of us has died with him, but a part of George will always remain in our hearts. George requested that donations in his memory be made to Rossbrook House, 658 Ross Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M1, or West Broadway Community Ministry, 102-222 Furby Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2A7, two organizations that he believed fill a great need in their respective neighbourhoods.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2018