George Albert (Scotty) Sicotte
January 1, 1915 ~ December 3, 2010
George Albert (Scotty) Sicotte died peacefully with his loved ones by his side December 3, 2010 at the Oyen Hospital, just one month short of his 96th birthday.
George was born in Hanmer, Ontario January 1, 1915 to Adrien and Valeda Sicotte. As a young man, he trained to be a boxer, but his mother’s fears of injury kept him from pursuing it as a career. From 1929 to 1931 George “rode the rails” on the CPR across Canada in search of work during the Great Depression.
George had a natural talent for music and joined a carnival as a guitar player in 1934. He spent that year (once again crossing Canada), as a cowboy with a guitar, entertaining carnival crowds.
He met the love of his life, Clara Kocurek, when working in the laundry at St. Paul’s Hospital in New Westminster, BC. They were married in 1938 and started a family in Vancouver, BC. where George became an automotive mechanic.
He never stopped playing music and added the banjo to his growing repertoire. He formed a band with two of his brothers and spent many weekends playing at clubs and dances, even performing on CKWX Radio in Vancouver.
In 1953 George and Clara moved to the beautiful Creston Valley and settled in Wynndel, BC. There they completed their family of three boys and three girls and George taught himself to play the piano. George worked at several automotive shops in the Creston area before becoming a heavy duty mechanic and millwright for Wynndel Box and Lumber.
In 1999, because of Clara’s failing health, they moved to Cereal to be close to their daughters.
George was predeceased by his parents and two brothers and two sisters, before losing his beloved Clara in 2000.
He is survived by his brother Clarence (Eileen) of Gibsons, BC, sons Ken (Donna) of Osoyoos, BC, Bob (Judy) of Victoria, BC, David (Penny) of Smithers, BC, daughters Denise Reider (fiancé Roland Stief) of Cereal, Chrissy (Farley) Vanstone of Cereal and Julia (Carl) Peterson of Chinook, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
George (Scotty) (Papa) will always be remembered and missed for his love of family, his love of music, the many singsongs we had gathered around him at the piano, and all the laughter and love that will live on in our hearts forever.
At George’s request, there will not be a funeral but a private family memorial will be held at a later date. Maclean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.