Poppa (June 1922 - November 2010)

My whole childhood I would exclaim, like many children do, “When I grow up, I am going to be a ______" …in my case, it was always a lawyer. I think I saw the movie Kramer vs. Kramer to often to count and realized at a young age that being able to talk and argue could pay a lot of bills.

It took my Poppa to burst my bubble one day when I proudly boasted at another family dinner at my parent’s home, that I was going to be a LAWYER…he looked at me with that twinkle that we all saw whether he was stealing our noses or playing with his false teeth, and he said, “Liar? You want to be a LIAR?” I know that he was playing on the words LIAR and LAWYER, but really, he had a point.

To be a good lawyer, you have to be a liar. I could handle getting paid to talk and argue. I already did that for free. I was just not so sure I could live with the “Liar” title my whole life and without realizing it at the time, would not have wanted to disappoint him. Here I thought a lawyer was a credible job because it had the potential for loads of money. I have since learned that credibility comes from whether you can be proud of what you do and have a sense of accomplishment, rather than monetary value.

(Lisa, Poppa, Lynda, June 2009)

(Dion and Poppa, March 2009)

For this reason, I can give some credit to Poppa for becoming a teacher. Which is interesting and perhaps ironic, because when I think of him, I am reminded of everything I learned from him. In this case, the teacher was the student. I was his student, but I am not even sure he knew he was teaching.

It was the quiet teachings where I learned from him. It was the legacies of his devout religious faith, never thrown in your face, just a large part of who he was, his title, his truth, where I have learned the most.

(Jen, Poppa and Jeff, March 2010)

Poppa’s priorities were his faith, his family and his sense of commitment to both, which showed through in his loyalty and sincerity. I never heard him utter a negative word about anyone, or any thing, for that matter, not even about hard times or war, although he fought overseas for three years as a soldier during the Second World War. He had an open heart and could make anyone feel comfortable with a quick joke or a friendly greeting. And, if that didn’t work he was sure to throw some sugar your way to sweeten the deal – a can of pop, baked goods, hard candies… Who wouldn’t be impressed with that?

The love for his family and his beloved late wife, Rosetta was so evident. They were rarely apart during their sixty years of marriage and the last two and half years without her, everyone knows he missed her…a large part of him was lost when she passed away.

(Nana and Poppa, November 2007)

Poppa was a model of what a true family man is and should be.

It was the simple things that I have the fondest memories of with him…. family dinners, celebrations, camping trips, introducing my sister and I to “Pop Rocks” candies (try that with swig of coke!), taking us horse backing riding at Black Mountain, picking berries, watching him make new friends and welcoming new family members…

Yet, as grateful as I am for those memories, I am honoured and incredibly fortunate that he was there for the “big stuff” in my life – graduations, my wedding, and the birth of my children (his great grandchildren!)...

George G, “Poppa”, to all that loved him, you are and will be greatly missed. Thank you for teaching me, and us, about love and life and sharing so many of my life’s special moments. You made them even that much more special by being there.

Sincerely, and with much respect, love and admiration, your granddaughter and grateful “student”,

Lynda

(Dedicated to my mom, Joyce. I did this for you mom, because I love you more than words can say and hope that even in the smallest way, this takes away some of your pain and makes you smile. You have a lot to be proud of. XO, Louloubelle)