CARRUTHERS, George Clyde
April 18, 1943 - September 5, 2013
George, child of God, was born in London Ontario and died peacefully at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver of acute myeloid leukemia. Predeceased by his father and son Ian, George leaves to pray for the repose of his soul, Maricha, his beloved wife of 45 years, his loving children Mark, Sarah (Mark), Patrick, Andrea (Michael), Paul and five grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud. Memories of George ("Geordie") will also be cherished by his mother Sonia, his sisters Sharon, Patricia, Janice and brother Chris. George grew up in London happily surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In 1957 George moved with the family (his father George served with the R.C.A.F. during and after WWII) to Peterborough, Ontario and then to Winnipeg in 1961. In 1965 George graduated in Arts from St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba. George was forever grateful to the Jesuit priests at St. Paul's who inspired and encouraged him in his spiritual life and studies. His Catholic faith was of the utmost importance to him throughout his life. George worked the summers of 1961-1964 on the C.P.R.'s Canadian and travelled extensively throughout Canada. On his first trip to British Columbia George decided that he would settle in Vancouver. In 1965 George rejoined his family in London and commenced his law studies. He worked the summers of 1965-1968 at the Banff Springs Hotel and played golf most evenings. In 1967 he met the love of his life, Maricha Elizabeth Brough, from Nottingham, who also worked at the Hotel. In 1968 George graduated from the U.W.O.'s Law School and married Maricha. The newly weds travelled throughout Europe and England for three months before settling in Vancouver. After completing his articles, George joined the Vancouver Regional Office of the Department of Justice on February 2, 1970, the birth date of his son Mark. Many of George's cases were of a high profile nature and national importance. He was a well respected litigator who always did his best. He treated his opponents firmly but fairly as he himself would have expected to have been treated. In 2005 George retired from Justice after 35 years service with the position of General Counsel. He was immensely proud to have had the honour of serving his country in representing the public interest. The privilege of raising six children, even with Maricha doing the heavy lifting, was difficult and did not give him much leisure time. However, George, an avid gardener, was house proud and, over the decades, either did or supervised the family's home renovations himself. George thanked God for the gift of a full life. He accepted his illness as God's will and a special opportunity to say farewell while preparing for his death and God's judgment. A special thanks to the caregivers at V.G.H. Burn Unit, St. Paul's M.S.S.U, and Lions Gate Hospital's chemo unit. You know who you are. Prayers at St. Stephen's R. C. Church, Mountain Highway and 24th in North Vancouver on September 13th at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be Celebrated on September 14 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Stephen's Building Fund or the North Shore Pro Life Society, P.O. Box 37521, North Vancouver, V7M 2H0, would be appreciated.
Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on Sept. 7, 2013
