George William Crossley
January 23, 1919 - August 4, 2008
It is with sadness and beloved affection, that we announce the peaceful passing of George William Crossley on August 4th at Mountain Lakes Senior
Community in Nelson, B.C., after a two year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Wolseley, Saskatchewan to Herbert and Viola, George and his older sister Edith were raised on a farm in a railroading family, before his parents eventually retired to Agassiz, B.C in 1943. It was in Wolseley where Dad completed his schooling, was active in
sports, playing hockey with the Regina Abbots in 1937. He was a member of St. George’s Anglican Church and involved in Boy Scouts.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Dad joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After training as a Wireless operator, he served in England and Africa from 1940-1945. Returning to Canada in 1945,
Dad joined the C.P.R. in British Columbia and was eventually posted to Grand Forks. There he met and married Lynn Pohoda in September, 1949. To them
was born a son, Myles Dean, in 1958 and a daughter Colleen Gaye, 1959. Lynn Crossley passed away January 11, 1977. Since 1945 Dad had been posted to various C.P.R. stations as a train order operator, including Nelson and Castlegar, from whence he retired in 1983. Shortly thereafter he remarried Joan Walker, who passed away in 1990. During his retirement years Dad was
active in Castlegar’s St. David’s Anglican Church, and participated in local bowling, curling and especially golf, where he enjoyed many a round in the company of his many friends, including buddies cousin Tom, Ralph
and ‘Buzz’ at the Castlegar Golf course. His golfing skills won him many a senior’s trophy.
George is predeceased by his parents Herb and Viola, sister Edith (July 2008), and wives Lynn and Joan.
George is survived by son, Dean (Antonia), and grandchildren Steven, David, Jonathan and Daniel, and
daughter Colleen Tuscok (David) and grandchildren Lynne (and great-grandson Luis Pickl), Michelle, and
Matthew; Brothers-in law, Sonny (Joan) Pohoda and Milly (Dorothy) Pohoda and family; Sister-in-law, Mona Casemore; and Niece Fran (Chris) Atkinson.
Dad will be remembered as a kind, faithful and caring father who loved his family, a man of integrity, with a
quiet and gentle disposition, well-respected by those who knew him, and most importantly, spiritually, one
who expressed faith in the promise of the resurrection that is found in Christ Jesus.
Finally George’s family wish to express their gratitude to the staff at Castlegar’s Castleview Care Centre during his stay there and to Dr. Janz and Nelson’s Mountain Lake Senior’s Community staff who patiently oversaw
his care during his time there. Cremation has taken place. There will be no service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or St. David’s Anglican Church.
Any thoughts, reflections, or comments on Dad’s life can be emailed to his son Dean at magister@telus.net.