Geurt (George) Dieleman

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather. George passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89.

He is survived by his daughters Gayle, Wilma (Robert) and his son Bill, grandchildren Lindsay (Heidi), Jaime (Lee), Kendall, (Dustin) Mitchell, Annabelle, Ixchel and Rosie. His great-grandchildren McKinley, Hudson, Olivia & Henderson were very dear to his heart.

He is survived also by his dear brother Fred and his sisters Marie, Irene, and Serena. He was pre-deceased by his sister Greta and brothers, Dan and Bill.

George grew up in the Netherlands during the War and immigrated to Canada in 1948 with his parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. They settled in Manitoba and had a successful family farm.

George met the “Love of his Life” Tina in 1956 and they married in October, 1957. Together they raised 3 children while George worked at various jobs including ownership of a fresh fruit and vegetable market in the North of Winnipeg. Tina passed away on July 26th 2021 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. George was her caregiver for several years and stepped out of his comfort zone to take care of the things she had always lovingly done for him throughout their 64 years together. Not a day went by that he did not miss her.

George changed careers in 1976 when he was offered the golden opportunity to become the BC Sales Rep for Hershey Fundraising Sales and to travel around the province visiting schools and clubs. And of course, he made many friends along the way. Finally, he was able to move his family to beautiful British Columbia, a land that he loved.

George had a passion for music, singing, and playing the organ, something he worked on learning after he retired. He liked to stay fit and after some issues with his heart, attended Rehab Fitness classes in White Rock for several years.

He was a man of considerable talents; he sang in various choirs, was an avid gardener and was a whiz at stock market trading in his golden years. He was the perfect example of a successful self-made businessman who started with nothing and ended with everything; family, love and success in a long and happy life.

Family was everything to George. He provided magnificently for his family and was loved by all with many enduring nicknames throughout the years; Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Gramps, and recently BIG PAPA!

He deeply loved his family and devoted himself to taking care of them his entire life. Recently, he was looking forward to meeting again his dear Tina at the glorious gates of heaven.

George had many friends, he was that man, the one who would stop and talk to everyone. He was kind, considerate and as friendly as they came! We will all miss him!