GEORGE MICHELL

GEORGE MICHELL Peacefully, on December 28, 2023, in Toronto. Beloved husband of Valerie (Seabrook), much loved father of Paul (Elena Cherney) and Lauren (Christopher Shipton); and enthusiastic grandfather of Harry and Simon Michell, Lauren and Carter Shipton, and more recently, Jacob and Sophie Daum. George was predeceased by his parents George Sr. and Ivy May (Menadue) of South Porcupine, Ontario, and his siblings Betty, Ralph (Grace), Marion (Larry), and Thomas (Gail). He is survived by his sister, Joan (Colin) Anderson of Stratford. George was born on February 24, 1935, in the Dome Extension near South Porcupine, Ontario, to parents who had emigrated to Canada from Cornwall after the First World War. After high school, he worked at the mine for two years before moving to Kitchener to study at W.L.U. (Waterloo Lutheran in those days), where he lived with Ralph and Grace and their young family. He switched to the H.B.A. program at the University of Western Ontario business school, graduating in 1959. He moved to Toronto and qualified as a management accountant. In 1964, he took a date to a party and met Valerie. They were never apart after that, and married a year later, just before Christmas. The Michells had the great fortune to move to Glenview Avenue in Toronto, a lively community of young families that formed the basis of decades of close friendships for them and their children, years after they (and many others) had moved elsewhere. They also maintained long friendships through the book group and food group. George was a longtime member of the Cricket Club, playing tennis in the summer and squash in the winter. He skied at Caledon Ski Club for more than 50 years, into his eighties. George loved matzo ball soup, crossword puzzles, 'putting his head down for a few minutes' on a Saturday afternoon after mowing the lawn, a good joke, dancing, getting a deal on a new sports jacket, and butter tarts. He wrote beautiful letters in fine handwriting. He liked to doodle. A lover of music, he was a conductor at heart. George was a wonderful and devoted father. He was modest and slow to anger. He was a good friend with a strong moral compass, who was quietly supportive in difficult times. He took endless delight in his grandchildren, who were a boundless source of joy to him. He was a patient, kind and thoughtful 'Poppa', and had a talent for calming babies. His 58 years of marriage to Valerie was a great love affair. George and Valerie enjoyed travelling and were fortunate to maintain their health into their 80s. They explored Machu Picchu together just five years ago. George always said that he had had a 'good run'. Alzheimer's was a long struggle exacerbated by Covid lockdowns. Its pace accelerated over the past year. George maintained his dignity, quick humour, and determined spirit to the end. He was surrounded by his loving family in his last days, as he struggled with pneumonia. We are grateful to the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital, the Sunnybrook Holland Centre, and the Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor for their devoted and generous care. He was greatly loved. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.