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It is with deep sadness that the family of George Rebalkin announces his sudden passing. George was born June 3, 1930 on the farm near Blaine lake, Saskatchewan to Wasil and Fanny Rebalkin. They resided there with their four children until 1938, when they moved to Thrums, B.C., where the family did market gardening and selling produce and dairy in Trail.

George’s first jobs were at a logging camp and then on the CP Rail ‘Extra Gang’, repairing buildings. He began his carpentry career in Sunningdale, outside of Trail, building a small community of homes. George’s first dam was the Waneta. During this time, George, together with others, started the Carpenters Union local in this area.

George met Sylvia in 1951, when she was teaching school at Pass Creek, and after a short courtship, they were married in 1952. Daughter Margaret was born in 1953 and son Steve followed in 1956. For several years, life was busy with moving from job to job, all over Vancouver Island, while raising young children. In 1960, the family returned to Thrums where they lived in the basement of their home while it was being fully constructed around them.

George was an active member and supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous for over fifty years. In that role he often helped others in their journey.

George continued to work on major construction projects, including eighteen bridges and several dams, schools and hospitals until his retirement at age sixty. He took pride in his work and would often mention that he, and others of his generation, had “built British Columbia”. He was also very involved in community projects such as the Thrums waterline, the Thrums cable tv system, Tarrys Hall, etc.

George enjoyed golf, bowling, playing cards and many other activities and was a regular at Tim Hortons for many years .George and Sylvia also enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Las Vegas and other places, as well as visiting their children and grand children in Vancouver, Victoria, Fernie and Kelowna. And, through all these years, George and Sylvia poured out their lives into raising their children Margaret and Steve, to adulthood. And they did very well at this.

In 1996, George and Sylvia left Thrums and moved to Stellar Place, where they have resided since. At Stellar Place, George was extensively involved in maintenance projects and service on council.

George is survived by his wife Sylvia, son Steve (Angie), daughter Margaret (Cecil), five grand children – Aaron (Kheysil), Krystal, Nathan (Alana), Adam (Monica) and David and two great grand children – Connor and Aria. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers John, Bill, Peter, and Nick and a sister, Mabel.

George was a friendly, outgoing man – he would smile, joke and talk with everyone. He appreciated hard work, honesty and loyalty. His love for family and friends was evident and appreciated by the family and by all.

Throughout his life and especially in his latter years George expressed his understanding of the meaning of life and a belief in God and His purposes in our lives.

May he rest in peace.

George’s family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to relatives, friends and neighbours for their words and deeds of comfort during this time. Thank you also to the Castlegar Funeral Chapel staff, to Reverend Ken Siemens for conducting the funeral service and to the ladies at Stellar Place for serving the luncheon

following burial.



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