George John Petrescu
August 1, 1919 ~ September 27, 2013
George was forever curious and loved learning and doing everything he loved well.
His education started as a Romanian-speaking only child who often missed school to work on his family’s Saskatchewan farm, then to completing his Master’s of Arts degree at the University of Nebraska in 1964. He achieved this while raising his five children with his wife, Marie, and performing his duties as both principal and teacher for two schools on Kootenay Lake, B.C. The next chapter in George’s life and career was in Prince George as first principal of Harwin, then Spruceland Elementary Schools, from which he retired from in 1979 to return to his beloved Kootenays.
George was a teacher and an administrator, an artist (water color painting, rug hooking), a gardener, Grand Master bridge player and bridge teacher, a gourmet cook and connoisseur of fine food and drink, a cancer survivor and a WWII veteran. He enjoyed sports and had been an avid curler and golfer. He’d fondly recall sending new curling recruits in search of left handed brooms.
George dearly loved his wife of 65 years, Marie, his five children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He also loved good food, playing cards, trout fishing, music and gardening, and he especially loved and missed his rural Kootenay Lake property where he and Marie spent 48 years, leaving in 2000. In Nanaimo, George continued doing all that he loved until he was unable to. In his last month he was still enjoying his “bones” – chicken and turkey wings!
George is survived by his wife Marie; children Michael, Ileana (Derek), Marina, and Lexie (Wayne); sister Pauline; grandchildren Sarah, Dagan, Samantha, Nicholas and Genevieve; and great-grandchildren Hank, Bella, Seth, Deklyn, and David. He was pre-deceased by his son David (Rita); brothers Elie and Dan; and sister Mary.
George and his family wish to thank Dr. Geoffery Spry and the NGRH, but especially all his family of helpers at Astoria at Longwood. We/he won’t forget operation Pet Rescue and the wonderful turkey wings he so appreciated.
George wanted no service, flowers (although he loved them!) or donations, but did want all who cared to have a wonderful meal and good drink in his memory.
“Remember,” he said “I may be watching!” We all hope you are somewhere still learning, George.