He is absent from the body, present with the Lord.
It is with profound sadness that the family of George Armstrong Stephenson announces his passing on January 16, 2023, in his 83rd year. George passed away peacefully at the Gorge Road Hospital, Victoria, BC. The family is thankful for the loving care provided by the nurses and care aides at the Gorge Road Hospital.
George will be deeply missed by the love of his life, Effie Jean (Fishback) of 58 years.
Loving and cherished father of Bob (Amy), Bill (Charlene) and Lisa (Andrew Peebles). He was a much loved “Grandpa” and will be deeply missed by his five granddaughters Maiya, Nicole, and Kaitlyn Stephenson of Langley, BC and Amelia and Elyse Stephenson of St. Catharines, Ontario.
He will be missed by his sister Barbara Farrar and family of Welland, Ontario, sisters-in-law Dorothy Fishback, Ruby Keller (Ron), Margaret Powers (Paul) and brother-in-laws Jim Fishback (Carolyn), Harvey Fishback (Cindy), and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
George was born in Toronto, Ontario to the late George and Rubina Stephenson. He is pre-deceased by his sister Carol Stecher of Windsor, Ontario, brother-in-law William Fishback and in-laws Clarence and Edith Fishback of Tillsonburg, Ontario.
George began his banking career in Windsor, Ontario and later transferred to Toronto and then St. Catharines as a Bank Manager.
In 1986 George and Effie and three children left for Belem, Brazil with UFM/Crossworld to serve at the Amazon Valley Academy. In Brazil George took on a role as financial administrator for eight years.
In 1994 George and Effie returned to Langley, BC where George served UFM/Crossworld for the remainder of his working years. During this part of George’s career, he took on a role of recruiting others to become missionaries with UFM/Crossworld.
George and Effie moved to Victoria in 2009 where George was active as a member in The Gideons International as well as a faithful member of Central Baptist Church.
George will be greatly missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 28th, at 2:00pm at Central Baptist Church – 833 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Crossworld Canada via their website: https://crossworld.ca/give
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
17 Responses
Dear Effie: Memories go back many years. l remember the times in your home. Our deepest sympathy on your loss. May the Lord be your comfort knowing where he is and someday we will meet him again. Praying for you. Much love, Mel & Romilda Cuthbert
Thinking of you Effie at this difficult time. George was loved by all who knew him. Bridget sends her love and remembers our visit with you and how Uncle George had every day planned to make our stay so special! Sending my love to Bob, Bill and Lisa.
So sorry to hear of George’s death. My sympathy to Effie, Bob, Lisa, and Bill and the whole family.
May you be comforted knowing that George is finally home.
Love Christine and Ron Gilson
We have known George for the past 58 years. I taught with his wife Effie in the 60’s and we became fast friends. My husband and I have visited and travelled with George annd Effie over the years. We have watched his children and grandchildren grow up as if they had been our family.
We will miss George very much. His humour, kindness and concern for others made him special. He so loved his family and was so proud of them. His love of the Lord and a Christian lifestyle made him a fine example to others. Our deepest sympathy to Effie and the family.
Sorry for your loss, God bless, love shirley
Psalm 127:4-5
“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their
opponents in court.”
I only met George Stephenson once, briefly. But I have known his son, Bob, for a couple of decades. And based on Bob’s character, I am assured that George must have been an extraordinary spiritual champion himself for God to bless him with a son who is also a warrior for the kingdom of God.
Rest in peace George, your good memory lives on in the generations you have left behind.
Your father sounds like a lovely, conscientious man whom you all must have been very proud of. Many condolences to your Mom and to all the kids and grandkids on your loss. Our family’s thoughts and prayers are certainly with you.
So sorry for your loss. May the family find comfort knowing George is with his Maker.
I so appreciated George’s wonderful and often mischievious sense of humour as well as his deep love for his family and for the Lord. Blessings of peace and comfort on you Effie and family.
I am so sorry for the loss of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. He is free from the pain and reunited with family who left before. Love to all