Dr. George Harold Laycraft “Harold” passed away quietly, peacefully and with dignity at the age of 90. Born in Veteran Alberta, he lived his primary years in High River Alberta. In 1941, he and his twin brother Herb joined the Canadian Army and served in the Atlantic command until 1943. The twins were then seconded to the Australian Imperial Forces and served in Australia from 1944 to 1946. After the war, Harold entered Medical School at the University of Alberta. In 1953, he began his internship at the Calgary General Hospital and began practice as a GP in Drumheller, Alberta. There he belonged to the mine safety crew and participated as a physician in several underground mine rescues. He completed post graduate training in Anesthesiology at the Vancouver General Hospital and practiced this specialty in Saskatchewan. Dr. Laycraft had resolved to practice medicine until the age of 40 at which time he would change careers to resource exploration – oil and gas and minerals. His reason for changing careers was to seek stimulation of a new career at middle age. This was done in 1968 when he retired from the practice of medicine to devote full time to activities in the oil and gas exploration field. Harold had found his passion. He became a Director of two of the largest independents of the Canadian oil industry – Sceptre Oil and Gas and United Canso Oil and Gas. He was instrumental in the development of the Dusty Mac open pit gold and silver mine at Okanagan Falls, BC which was brought to production in 1973. He was also involved in the Grantsville open pit heap leaching silver mine in Nevada that was brought to production in 1988. Over the years, until his retirement, Harold founded and ran several successful large oil and gas companies, Ultra Petroleum and Transglobe being two of them. He was very proud of his achievements and success in all areas of his chosen field.
Harold is survived by his twin brother, Chief Justice J. H. (Herb) Laycraft, his dear friends Lesley and Alex Reid, his sister-in-law Lois Laycraft and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents George and Hattie Laycraft, his brothers John and Wendell and his twin sisters Ruth and Beth.
Harold was a quiet and intelligent man with a love for fishing, gardening and reading. He spent many hours tying flies for his fishing hobby at his retreat on Keats Island and sailing along the BC coast. He loved animals, dogs especially, and watched the blue herons nest every year from his Vancouver apartment. An expression he used often was “high grade” and he was that high grade person – generous and loyal. He has “gone fishin”.
The family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Lesley and Alex Reid for their valued friendship and caring over the past 25 years. By request, no funeral service will be held. Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, Chilliwack, BC.
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