George Ernest GOULD
October 6, 1924 – January 14, 2017
On January 14th at Bradgate Arms Retirement Home in Toronto, with loving family by his side. Beloved husband of the late Joan Anne Gould (née Fulford). Proud father of Anne Louise (Doug Sarjeant) and John (Sandy Mayzell). Delighted grandfather of Elizabeth and Jon Sarjeant, and step-grandfather of Jonathan Chesley (Alexandria Donati) and Amanda-Lee Chesley (Johanna Lee). Predeceased by his dear siblings Edie (Al Tomlinson), Ollie (Roy Tanguay), Mary (Art Young), Howie and Gordon.
The son of Howard Gould and Annie Catherine Honey, George was born in the Village of Maryfield, Saskatchewan, on October 6, 1924. “Geordie” lived an idyllic childhood, walking Bessie the cow out to pasture each day and earning his first dimes running messages from the post office when a phone call came through for someone in town. Some of his happiest memories were of singing to the accompaniment of his father, the church organist. He joined up at age 18 and flew light bombers with the RCAF before earning a plum posting to the Communications Squadron to Supreme Headquarters. After the war he studied Actuarial Science at the University of Manitoba and moved to Toronto to begin his career at Manulife, where he met Jo. He played a key role in the early days of computerization and went on to do groundbreaking work in valuation systems and control.
George and Joan Anne spent 58 happy years together before she passed away in 2012. They were devoted to family and spent time every summer in Muskoka, enjoying swims, canoe trips and the company of their children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. They reveled in their many close friendships, often travelling as a foursome with their dear Joan and Ted Cross. George coached kids’ hockey and later took to the ice himself as a curler at the Granite Club, where he also played an exceptional hand of bridge. His reading ranged from murder mysteries to mathematics; he appreciated the silly and the profound, Victor Borge and Glenn Gould. His sense of wonder – one of the many gifts he passed on to his children and grandchildren – was expressed through stargazing and a passion for cosmology. George was admired for his integrity and kindness and for his prodigious clarity of mind. Thanks in part to his loving extended family and to his wonderful caregivers – and to his own gratitude for a full, lucky life – his later years were contented. George’s tenderness and courtesy never deserted him. He was a gentleman, in the very best sense, to the end.
A memorial reception will be held on Saturday, January 21st, 2 p.m., at TRULL FUNERAL HOME, 2704 Yonge St. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Sunnybrook Foundation or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.trullfuneralsyonge.com