George Kingsley WARD

WARD, George Kingsley, Hon. Colonel (Ret'd)
BA, B.COMM, FCA, LL.D
August 29, 1932 – August 17, 2014
George Kingsley Ward, 81, family man, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist departed his loved ones on Sunday night, with his family by his side after a valiant and prolonged battle with cancer. He was born to the late George Ward and Elsie Ward (nee Smith) on August 29, 1932, in Tetagouche, New Brunswick. He attended Mount Allison University and Queens University, graduating with a BA and B. COMM in 1955. He completed his CA degree in 1958 with PricewaterhouseCoopers and in 1994 he was awarded his Fellowship in the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA). In 2003, Mount Allison University awarded him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D). Kingsley is survived by his loving wife Adele (nee Hartman) of 55 years. He was the proud father of daughter Julie Ward, son J.R Kingsley Ward, daughter-in-law Christine (nee Michener), and loving grandfather to Kingsley, Mich, Max, and Gigi Ward. Kingsley lived his life by the values instilled in his youth growing up in the small town of Bathurst, New Brunswick. Leaving for bigger and better things he went from very modest roots to achieving success in all areas of his life while finding ways to give back to the community and the country he loved along the way. Kingsley started his business career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before his entrepreneurial activities began when he purchased two companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Over the next 40 years, he continued his private equity investing activities as Chairman of the Vimy Ridge Group Ltd (VRG Capital). Throughout his career serving as Chairman or Director of numerous private and public companies that he invested in, he was also involved in various industry associations including serving as the Chairman of the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Associations of Canada, Chairman of the Canadian Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association and Chairman of the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy. Kingsley was committed to community involvement and was a Governor of St. Andrew's College for more than 30 years, where he served and headed numerous committees and special projects. He was a Director and Treasurer of the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation and helped to raise millions of dollars for the hospital. He was the Chairman of Queen's University Chemistry Innovation Council, and is the former Chairman of the Finance Committee and former member of the Mount Allison University Board of Regents Executive Committee. Kingsley was the author of 5 books, including the international best seller, Letters of a Business Man to his Son which was published in over 25 different languages around the world. His passion for Canadian military history led him to co-author the book Courage Remembered. He also spearheaded many fundraising efforts in support of Canadian military forces. In October 2003, he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 2nd Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment (North Shore). Kingsley took great pleasure in spending time with his family, whether at work with his son or spending Sunday afternoons with his daughter Julie watching his beloved Green Bay Packers. He took pride in cheering on his grandchildren as they played polo, soccer, hockey or football. In his early forties, he earned his commercial flying license which enabled him spend some of his most cherished time in northern Ontario in search of the perfect fishing day. George Kingsley Ward was the quintessential Canadian; understated, modest, fair, and honourable. Canada, the community, and his family have lost a truly great man. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Michael's Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, and the staff of Qualicare Vaughan for the excellent care that he received. A special thank you to Emmie and Bing for the personal and compassionate interest that they took in making Kingsley as comfortable and peaceful as possible. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew's College Chapel, 15800 Yonge St., Aurora, Ontario, on Friday August 22, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. to be followed by a Reception. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kingsley's name to St. Michael's Hospital and to the Princess Margaret Hospital foundations.