George Mleczko

He was born in a small town in Germany after his parents Walter and Halina Mleczko settled there to continue serving in the Polish Underground Army after the war. The family immigrated to Leeds, England then to Toronto in 1953 where George was raised. His sister Diane McElroy, Sandi Gilmer his best friend and Val Purdy, his beloved girlfriend, are devastated for a life that ended far too soon. His fierce love for his puppy Sugar was heart warming…they were best buddies and inseparable.

Zbeizek, as his sister lovingly calls him, was a sensitive soul with a high level of integrity and generosity. He was fiercely loyal, almost to a fault, sacrificing for those he loved. He had a great sense of humour, often tongue and cheek. His dazzling smile was one of his trademarks. He was cocky, smart and had the biggest heart.

He was an adventurer in his 20’s and early 30’s. With a backpack in hand and not much money, he started a journey of exploration as he trotted all over the world. During his travels, he found out that his father was a war hero who had won multiple medals for his bravery. He came back to Canada over a year after his travels, energized to begin his life’s work.

George had an extraordinary career in the publishing field forging new ground in communicating business news. George and Peter Ladner were co-founders of Business in Vancouver (BIV), the first business publication designed to be more street-level and gossipy than other magazines of its kind – very revolutionary at the time. George and Peter’s objective was to provide business information that was not readily available anywhere else and to keep readers ahead of their competition. Within months of the first issue, BIV won the best publication under 20,000 circulation at the Western Magazine Awards! BIV is still compelling today as it has advanced into the digital space. George eventually sold his share in the business and retired where his traveling bug was revived.

There will be a private family interment with a Celebration of Life at a future date. Leave a kind word or memory at https://www.dignitymemorial.com care of the Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home in Chilliwack.