Obituary of George Taylor PINCHBECK

PINCHBECK, George May 25, 1940 – June 14, 2014 Mr. George Taylor Pinchbeck of Strathmore, Alberta, passed away at the Strathmore Hospital on June 14, 2014 at the age of 74 years. George was born in Edmonton in 1940, grew up near Mayerthorpe and married Marianne Denkhaus on August 21, 1964; this August would have been their 50th anniversary. After a one-year teacher training course, he began teaching by the time he was eighteen, and later went on to complete B.Ed and M.Ed. degrees at the University of Alberta. His career in education took him to positions in Onoway, Mayerthorpe, Sedgewick, Spirit River, County of Wheatland, and Rockyview School Division, where he taught and worked as vice-principal, principal, associate-superintendent and he officially retired after seventeen years as a school superintendent in 1995. In his retirement, he was school superintendent for Almadina (an ESL charter school in Calgary), and was publicly elected as board member for the Health Authority 5, and was then appointed to the Calgary Health Authority. George was a member of the Lions Club for 38 years, a member of the Strathmore Aquatic Society, was very involved in the Strathmore United Church, sang in local choirs and active in the Strathmore Golf Club. George was a very avid reader of non-fiction and kept 2000+ books within reach at the house. Friends and family could always count on George to identify birds, bird calls, flowers and significant historical dates. The happiest times in his life were being involved with his family, friends and his precious grandsons; the latters’ various pursuits, including those in hockey and baseball, brought him great joy. His love of travelling took him to Europe, South America, Egypt, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and many parts of the United States. George is survived by his loving wife Marianne, children Geoff (Masayo) and Holly (Terry Desserre), and grandchildren Scott and Mitchell. He is also survived by his sister Dawn (Wayne Richmond), Ruth (Ted Soroka), brother James (Marlene) and their families. George will also be sorely missed by his in-laws; the Shabadas, Nordlunds, Cooks, McHargs and Denkhaus families. George was predeceased by his mother Mabel, father Roy, brother Brian and his sisters-in-law Hilda and Bonnie. Although George faced many health challenges in the last year of his life, he enjoyed the hundreds of visitors that came to see him at the hospital in the last months. He remained upbeat, positive and genuinely interested in everyone else’s life. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Manocha and all the staff at the Strathmore Hospital and the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 21, 2014 at the Strathmore United Church at 11:00 a.m. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Strathmore Lion’s Club (Box 2171 Strathmore, T1P 1K2) to go towards their new project, the Lion’s Family Walking Park or the Strathmore Hospital Foundation (200 Brent Blvd. Strathmore, T1P 1J9) for new television sets. Flowers gratefully declined. To send condolences, please click on the link below. Send Condolences