GEORGE M. UBELL

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GEORGE M. UBELL It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of George Morris Ubell on Saturday, December 8 at St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care at the age of 71 years after a valiant fight with cancer. George is survived by his beloved wife Shirley; son Grant of Winnipeg; daughter Janice Knight (Don) of Winnipeg; son Lance (Sheila) of Oakville, ON; son Cameron (Michelle) of Toronto, ON; four grandsons, Derek Knight, Scott and Colin Ubell, Caidan Ubell and one granddaughter Kate Knight. Georges sisters, Susie Taylor of Winnipeg, and Jeanne Black of Peachland BC; two brothers-in-law, Larry Kutz (Edna) and Ron Black; his mother-in-law Marie Kutz and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Mother in 1964, his father in 1983 and father-in-law in 1989. George was born on July 12, 1930 in Saskatoon, SK and married Shirley in February 1955. He was a locomotive fireman with the CNR for four years then entered the sales field. They moved to Winnipeg in 1955 where George ran a successful direct sales organization for four years. He was rewarded for his sales expertise with the presentation of the first million-dollar gold & diamond ring by International Housewares. In 1960 he joined Acme Bedding & Furniture Company as a General Manager. In 1965 he bought the Company and was an intricate part of the furniture manufacturing industry for 32 years. He was a founding member of The Furniture Manufacturing Association and provided the name "Furniture West" for the Association. He lived his professional life according to the values that he practiced in his personal life: honesty, integrity, loyalty, strength, remarkable courage and determination, and the utmost respect for his fellow man. He had a tremendous work ethic, which he instilled in all four of his children. He never expected more from an individual than he, himself, would be willing to give. George was Chairman of the Building Committee and a member of the School Board at St. Joseph The Worker Parish; Past President of the Manitoba Better Business Bureau; member of Red River College Board of Directors representing the Manitoba Furniture Industry; and Treasurer of the National Research Council of Manitoba. He was a 4th Degree member of The Knights of Columbus. Georges interests in antique cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles were renewed the first year of retirement. Nothing was better than a ride on his new Harley out to Lockport for an ice cream. Grant and his father enjoyed many happy trails together - Winnipeg, Daytona Bike Week in Florida, and the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota, indeed the realization of a dream come true. George had immense pride in his four children, taking a keen interest in all their achievements. He was always there to listen and advise, when asked. Once he became a Papa, he spent endless hours shopping for just the right toys for each of his beautiful grandchildren. Our family would like to thank our very special friends for all their prayers, phone calls and visits during this past year. Our thanks to Dr. M. Shnider, Dr. D. Scurrah, Dr. R. Wong, Dr. P. Daeninck, and Dr. F. Crow for their wonderful care and compassion. Thank you to all the special angels in the Cancer Care Unit, especially Heather and all the caring nurses in the Palliative Care Unit who treated George with the utmost care, respect and dignity. Thank you to Msgr. Stan Jaworski for his compassionate spiritual guidance for Georges last journey. A tremendous thank you to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority for their daily visits during the past year. Our family was truly blessed to be in the care of Caroline Guertz, Louise Dansereau and Sue Erickson. Funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Barry Schoonbaert and Msgr. Stan Jaworski at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 4588 Roblin Blvd. (corner of Grant and Roblin) on December 11 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Pallbearers will be, Robert Bockstael, Conrad Wyrzykowski, Larry Kutz, Andrew Ainley, Paul and Roger Bourgouin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Georges memory to St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation, Palliative Care Fund, 409 Tache Ave., Room D1008, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6. "To have won the respect of intelligent people and admiration of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success". -Ralph Waldo Emerson You were a successful man George! Rest in Peace Dad. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2001