GEORGE WATSON SAUNDERS

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GEORGE WATSON SAUNDERS George died peacefully May 7 after a brief illness. He is survived by his sons, Tom (Kathleen) and Jim; grandchildren, Lisl, Jack, Rod and Riel; and great-grandchildren Heidi and Jasmine. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Joyce, his parents and his brother. George was born and raised in River Heights. After serving as a navigator in the RCAF during the Second World War, George returned to Winnipeg where he attended the Manitoba Law School and was called to the bar in 1948. George and Joyce were married that year. The family lived in Tuxedo for over 25 years where George was very involved in local community affairs and local sports. George practised corporate law with the firm of Thorvaldson, Eggertson, Saunders and played a major role in the amalgamation of that firm with the firm of Aikins MacAulay in the late 1960s. He later left private practise and became general counsel of Canadian Premier Life Insurance Co. In 1982 George joined the Royal Bank of Canada as regional counsel in Manitoba. He retired in 1989. Retirement was not so much an end for George as a new beginning, giving him the opportunity to pursue his unending curiosity and varied interests. George loved life at the lake and the family enjoyed many happy times, first, at West Hawk Lake and, subsequently, on Lake of the Woods. He was an avid sailor for over 35 years, exploring Lake of the Woods in the familys cruising sailboat. In later years, he and Joyce continued their journeys, often in the company of friends, in their power cruiser. Georges relationship with Lake of the Woods spanned over 70 years. George was a dedicated and accomplished skier, competing in the 1930s and 1940s, skiing with the family in the 1960s and 1970s and spending his winters in Kimberly, BC each year following his retirement. At Kimberly, he took great pleasure in keeping up with those who were often 30 years his junior. George returned from Kimberly looking forward to another year pursuing his post-retirement passion of golf, touring the courses of southern Manitoba with his friends, when he became ill. George believed that anything worth doing was worth doing well. He applied that philosophy to his career, his passion for sports and his commitment to his family and his community. He will be missed. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all of Georges friends who called, or looked in on him, during his illness and to the staff at MICU at the Health Sciences Centre who took such competent and compassionate, care of him. Cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will take place Friday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Georges Crescentwood Anglican Church, 168 Wilton St., Winnipeg. No flowers please. Donations may be sent to the Manitoba Lung Association, the Manitoba Naturalists Society or the Manitoba Ski Association (Alpine Division). GARRY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME Cemetery and Cremation Centre 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 14, 2003