George passed away peacefully at his home days after celebrating his 90th birthday. He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Jo-Ann (Wright). Sons, Richard (Marlene), Lyle (Karen), Russell (Anna), and Blair (Lisa). Grandchildren, Shaun (Crystal), Stephanie (Nathaniel), Sarah, Melina (Julian), Wilson (Celine), Alanna, Mitchell (Emily), Alex (John), and Haley (Taylor). Great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Elias and Ryker. Predeceased by parents Harry and Beatrice Gurney, siblings, Bert, Jack, Bill, and Carol, in-laws Stan and Margaret Wright and brother in-law Dennis Sanders.
George is survived by brothers Ted, Wilson (Liz), Victor (Sharon) and sister in-law Helen, in-laws Fred, Loran (Carol), Vicki-Lynn Sanders, 
Wayne (Barbara), and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. George was born in Comox, living his early years exploring the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He met his soulmate, Jo-Ann, in 1953 at a community dance in the Union Bay Hall. They were married in 1955 ,at First United Church in Victoria, BC. George was an educator who received his teaching certificate from the Victoria Normal School in 1951. His first teaching appointment was in Giscome, BC, east of Prince George.
Returning to Vancouver Island in 1953, he taught grades 1 to 8 in a one-room schoolhouse at the Harris Creek logging camp. He then transferred to Langford Elementary in 1955 where he taught until receiving his first principal appointment at the brand-new Sangster Elementary in 1958. While at Sangster, George attended night and summer school at the University of Victoria where he received his Bachelor’s of Education degree in 1968. George and Jo-Ann met many of their lifelong friends during this time. He taught grades 4 and 5 and coached the Sangster swim team until 1978. Between 1978 and 1982 he was principal at Colwood Elementary, and finally wrapped up his teaching career as principal at David Cameron Elementary in 1986.
After retiring, George promptly re-entered the educational field by reading to his grandchildren’s kindergarten classes for years. He adored children and was known as Grandpa Gurney to hundreds of kids. He loved going on field trips and being the teacher’s “pet”. Dad was a super-fan that attended all of his four boys sporting events. He and Mom went to every lacrosse and soccer game they had. He coached lacrosse and was on the executive of the Saanich Lacrosse Association. He was an active member of Victoria Legion Junior A Lacrosse where he would run the 30-second clock at the Legion games.
Over the years Grandpa and Grandma would attend hundreds of their grandchildren’s games. You would find them in the stands or on the sidelines, cheering with coffee cups in hand. “OB” loved being outdoors, whether it was fishing, hunting, camping, or gardening. He looked forward to his hunting trips with Wilf and then with Sergei every year. Each summer he would load the family in his ’67 International Travel all with tent-trailer in tow and head out camping. The destination was usually somewhere in BC but in 1968 he drove his crew clear across the country to Nova Scotia. George had a green thumb and liked to putter outside in his greenhouse and gardens.
His flower baskets were beautiful and he was so proud of them. Hanging and standing baskets adorned many friends’ and family members’ front porches. But his all-time favourite pastime was to hop in his boat and go fishing. Simply put, George loved to fish. Whether it was casting for steelhead in the Sooke or Puntledge Rivers, fly-fishing for trout in Benson Lake or spending hours trawling for salmon and halibut on the ocean, he loved it all. Over his lifetime he would introduce countless people to his #1 passion. His boat was his “zen” place to be and he was happiest on the water. Another of George’s favourite routines in his retirement was his regular weekly coffee meeting with four of his good friends, who he fondly referred to as his group of cronies.
For years these 5 principals from School District 62 would get together at Colwood McDonald’s for friendly conversation, banter and laughter. Herman, Rupee, Andre, John and George would meet every Thursday to share their stories and their experiences of life. George loved these guys and cherished their friendship. Grandpa had many aliases, he was Santa and made his rounds on Christmas Eve with Mrs. Claus keeping him on schedule each stop, he was the Great Pumpkin that visited many kindergarten classes each Halloween delivering treats, he was the Easter egg hunt master that hid hundreds of eggs on Gurney Hill for his grandkids and great-grandchildren, he was the holiday “Cheer-Meister”.
The Gurney Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Jones and Amundsen for giving George the loving care and dignity that he needed for his journey. Also, a special thank you to Elizabeth and Ash at Island Health for their compassion and kindness. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 at 2:00 pm. in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, followed by a reception. For those wishing to attend virtually via zoom please click the link below. Please use your video camera when joining so that family in attendance can see you and feel your support. Tributes, if desired, may be made to the charity of your choice.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88007245428?pwd=dVpkR2VmRDJYSmNIY0xicHFGb2Fvdz09
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
23 Responses
I was very sorry to hear about George’s passing.
I worked at Vancity for many years and he was my favourite member of all time.
I always enjoyed hearing his stories about his children and grandchildren and all he did for the kids in his classrooms. He was a very giving and kind man and always brightened my day.
I was privileged to have known him. Rest peacefully, George.
Jo-Ann and Family
We are very sorry to hear of your loss.
George’s friendship and our travels together will be lifelong memories.
We will miss him.
My sincerest condolences to Jo-Ann and the family of dear George. I too share fond memories of this lovely gentleman from the years I worked for Dr. Jones. He will be missed by so many and I am honored to have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him.
Don Metcalf JR.
I am so sorry to hear of George’s passing. I have fond thoughts for George dating back to the 70’s and my time involved with all the Gurney family around Saanich Lacrosse. George was a parent that you would look forward to seeing around the “box”. Supportive, cheerful, a man with a warm heart.
I am also a Sangster student from the early 60s. George was always an encouraging and supportive person ..challenging us to really try things we were unsure of, whether in PE or in the classroom. I remember being thrilled when he surprised me with a corsage to wear while performing at a “Tootenany” held at Belmont High . Over the years Mum , Marg and I would run into the Gurneys in town – Woodward’s or just on the street and it was always a special feeling to know them outside of school . During these COVID years we visited by phone a few times a year and always enjoyed remembering the “good old days” and people from the close Sangster community . Both George and Jo-Ann had extensive memories of students and staff. He was a very special person who had an impact on hundreds of students.
Our condolences to the Gurney Family. We remember George as a very kind and happy man. Doug and George liked to share a joke or two each time they met.
Thinking of all of you in this time of sorrow
To George’s family,
So sorry to hear of George’s passing. Both my husband and I knew him for many years in the Sooke School District as a teacher then a Principal and in his retirement years. My older sister and I have wonderful memories of George as our teacher some 60 years ago at Langford Elementary. He was always a favourite teacher by many of us who had the greatest luck of being in his Grade 5 class. As years went by we would meet him at district functions or having a meal at McDonalds with his pals and he would always remember us and greet us with his smile and a story or two. He will be missed by many.
Jo-Ann and family, my deepest sympathies at the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
I attended elementary school at Sangster from 1964 until 1966 and last year I sent George a message on Facebook along with our grade seven photo and noted which student I was. I thanked him for mentoring me by including me on the school softball team when I was a shy grade fiver as he knew it would build my self confidence. Another time I was sent to the office from gym class because I refused to square dance. He sternly rebuked me in front of the class & teacher but when we got into the hallway he said “I wouldn’t do that either Jim, I will have a talk with her after school and you can run out the period in the library.” He did get back to me on Facebook and he said “I do remember that Jim and that was awhile ago!” One of the finest educators in my lifetime and a prince of man.
My deepest sympathy on your father’s passing