GEORGE JACKSON STRANG

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GEORGE JACKSON STRANG George Jackson Strang passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2000, at Grace General Hospital, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be sadly missed by his dearly beloved wife of almost 30 years, Joyce, (nee Saik) his children, Shawna (Daryl) Kynoch, Kent, David (Kristel), and Bruce (Nancy) grandchildren, Ian, Timothy, Meghan, and Mitchell; sister Shirley Biccum; brothers, Don and Ken (Beryl) sisters-in-law, Dorothy Strang and Gloria Maheux; Aunt Muriel ONeill; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and John, and brother Doug. George was born July 28, 1934 in Dauphin, MB. He later moved with his family to Brandon, where he attended school and university, earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1955 and Bachelor of Paedagogy in 1957. He also received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1961. For nine years George worked in the public school system, teaching high school in Shoal Lake, Crystal City and Brandon and becoming principal of Neelin High School in Brandon. In 1965, George joined the staff of The Manitoba Teachers Society in the welfare and employee benefits area. He specialized in collective bargaining and managed the pension plan for Manitobas 13,000 teachers during his 27 years with the Society. He "retired" in 1992, continuing to consult on pension matters after retirement. In 1993, he was made a Lifetime Member of the Society. George was a member of the Board of Directors of Manitoba Blue Cross for 25 years including six years as Chairman of the Board. During his tenure at Blue Cross, he was a member of the Executive, Investment, and Audit Committees. He was also a Director for six years, and Vice-Chair for two years of the Blue Cross Life Insurance company of Canada and served as Trustee for a number of private and public pension plans, as Vice-President of the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, as a Director of the Knowles Centre, and in many other public service organizations. He was a member of the Lions Club for many years, and a Past President of the St. James-Assiniboia Chapter. George enjoyed travelling throughout his lifetime, visiting many places across Canada and the USA as well as overseas on both family vacations and business trips, including eleven weeks as a consultant to teachers organizations in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. He also looked forward to his annual fishing trips with "the Ospreys" and his continued association with the "Group of Seven" past-presidents of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute and the Sharecroppers Investment Club. George appreciated the values instilled by his parents, the support and camaraderie of his colleagues, the care given by his health care providers, many friendships and the loving devotion of his wife, Joyce. He was also especially proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Special thanks to neighbours, Eric and Anita Cox for their support; to Drs. Arnot, Milner, Mosher and Ronald for their care; and to all of the staff at the Salvation Army Grace General Hospital. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Ave. If friends desire, donations may be made in Georges memory to Cancer Care Manitoba - Prostate Cancer Fund, 100 Olivia St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2000