George Findlay KIRKPATRICK

KIRKPATRICK, George Findlay
October 3, 1933 – July 19, 2016
George was born and raised in Perth, Ontario, and loved to share stories of a happy (at times mischievous) small town childhood in the years of the Great Depression. At the young age of 16, he moved to Toronto to study electrical engineering at the Ryerson Institute of Technology. He embraced big city life and 5 cent beer nights with his classmates. Upon graduation, he worked in the private sector for a short time before being recruited by the federal government, which led him to settle in Ottawa to raise his young family and work on a variety of important federal projects both in Canada and abroad as a senior executive in Customs & Excise Canada. After retirement from the public service, his talents took him around the globe as a consultant with the IMF. His interest and engagement with technology was a constant throughout his life, and he was an early adopter of the Internet and mobile apps. George was an active father, uncle and "poppa"; he was particularly drawn to little people and their curiosity. He spent countless hours teaching kids to water ski, appreciate nature and enjoy the cottage lifestyle on the Big Rideau, and then later on Black Lake. George had an insatiable desire to travel – to see new places, enjoy different cultures and meet new people. In his 82nd year, he travelled solo to Australia and Spain and had every intention to return. He was a sportsman all his life, from coaching little league in the '60s, to years of curling and golfing, to cheering on his granddaughter's hockey and soccer games, or the Ottawa RedBlacks as recent as a few weeks ago. George was highly informed and well-read in world events and politics, yet had a balanced opinion; he would always listen and respect other perspectives. He was a joyful person, always looking on the bright side, and even through the crushing grief of losing his beloved wife Judith last year, he valiantly carried on to keep busy, travel, connect with family and friends (and make new ones), and not-so-discreetly get his daily "second breakfast" at a roster of nearby breakfast spots on Preston Street. His intellect, outlook, calm demeanour and open heart will be remembered by family and friends forever. George was predeceased by his wife Judith Kirkpatrick (Berrell), his first wife Wilma (Fraser) and their young son Cameron. He leaves behind Cal (Diane Kaminski) and Cathy (Tony Lyons) and his beloved granddaughters Marley, Samantha and Roisin, as well as his Aussie family James (Sonya) and Kate; grandchildren Dylan, Isabella, Jasmine and Baxter and many friends from Down Under. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa). To respect George's wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held in Beechwood's Sacred Space on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception. Those who wish to make a donation in George's memory may do so to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left at www.beechwoodottawa.ca.