George Alfred Kearney
August 12, 1923 – August 17, 2016
Mr. George Alfred Kearney, age 93 years, passed peacefully in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, August 17, 2016.
George was born in Port Arthur on August 12, 1923 and was educated locally, attending Franklin Street Elementary School and Fort William Collegiate Institute.
George enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve on July 19th, 1943. He served until he was discharged on August 20th, 1946. During his time, he served in Canada, the United Kingdom and the North Atlantic.
In January 1948, he reenlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve as an ordinary seaman and was subsequently commissioned as an officer in 1950. Between 1951 and 1954, he served two extended periods of active duty, totalling some 28 months, on the West Coast, Great Lakes and East Coast. In 1963, he transferred to the Emergency List, Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
After his War service, George attended the university of Winnipeg and Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950, and a Diploma in Education in 1951. He then pursued a career in teaching, spanning 31 years. 30 of those years were spent at the Lakehead District School Board. In 1986, he retired after spending many years as the Head of the History Department at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
In retirement, George remained active in many professional organizations. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 63 years. He served on the executive committee for Branch 6, holding most senior positions. He also served as the District 8 Zone Commander, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Provincial Command. During his time with the Legion, George spearheaded the Thunder Bay South Poppy Campaign. For his outstanding work and dedication to the Legion, George was awarded the Legion’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2009.
George joined the Gyro club in 1971, remaining an active member for 45 years; serving as president for several of them. He was also a long term member of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Naval Officers Association of Canada and the Royal Canadian Naval Association. He was also a life member of the Sackville Trust.
George is remembered as a devoted family man. During the extended hospital stays of his parents, and other family members, George visited as often as he could, usually on a daily basis to care for and visit with them. He will be remembered for his subtle sense of humour, and loyalty to his beliefs, and causes. His grandchildren will remember his playful interaction with them over the years. He was a true gentleman and will be remembered as such.
George will be sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Vera (nee Hardick); children George (Sally), Geoffrey, Joel (Michele); grandchildren Megan (Nicholas), Ted (Elizabeth), Erin, Steven, Liam, Jessica and Jacob. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
He was predeceased by his mother Agnes in 1966 and his father Fred in 1998 as well as his brother Frank, sister in law Mary and sister Gene Brown.
Funeral services for the late Mr. George Kearney will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 25, 2016 in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, with Archdeacon Deborah Kraft officiating. A Naval service will be held in conjunction with the funeral service. Visitations for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm in the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James, with a Legion Service held at 8:00 pm. Private family interment will take place in Mountainview Cemetery at a later date.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of George to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, The Thunder Bay Naval Heritage Fund, or to a charity of your choice, would be greatly appreciated.
