George,  so sorry to just learn of your passing .  I will always remember to you 
...we sure did laugh a lot my friend.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet George, I know that he was a wonderfully kind man. 

 Both George and Sugar brought immense joy, light, and fun into Val’s life, for which I am  eternally grateful.  

Rest easy now, George. You will be sorely missed.

George hired me at BIV before the first issue came out, and my job as the support for the sales team had me sitting in the area right outside George's office.  He juggled millions of details and put me through my paces, and I loved working with that team.  So so sorry for his loss.  RIP

George was my “big” brother who inspired me personally and professionally. He was funny, kind and had a very charismatic personality ...quiet but loud. Macgregor my husband and I spent many happy times  with George and Sugar in Vancouver...a place he loved so much. He always supported me and gave me confidence that I was loved and valued. I will miss his thoughtfulness, his generous spirit and most of all his illuminating smile. I am so thankful I got to spend a month with him when he first became ill in June. We were devastated when he passed away so suddenly. A sincere thanks to Sandi who cared for him many months after he got out of the hospital. She took him to his appointments, helped him with his meds, helped care for Sugar, cooked his meals and spent time with him. Forever grateful that he had such loving support, We thought he was on the road to recovery but it wasn’t meant to be. So sad that he was taken early.  We miss you so much...all our love Diane, Macgregor, Jewels

Like many others on this page, I was hired by George - on three different occasions. He gave me my first "career-path" job at a women's magazine in the late 1980s, then later a couple of roles at the fledgling Business In Vancouver newspaper. He taught me what genuine leadership and an authentic, caring management style was like. He gave me latitude to learn and grow in the work place that many university students don't ever receive. I loved to banter with him. He was a good man. He taught me more than I realized at the time. I was saddened to hear this news. God bless you, George. We sure were blessed for knowing you.

All the tributes have shown me just how much my sweetie, George, was admired, well liked and loved. I began writing this yesterday, which would have been his 73rd Bday but too many emotions. So, here’s a little of our life together. 
I joined our building’s Strata Council in 2012 which George had been part of for years. At a Sept 2014 meeting held in George’s suite I’d commented on one of his pieces of art – a Tony Only watercolour. A few weeks later we exchanged a cheque for the artwork and George asked me out to dinner and, as they say, things blossomed from there. The dinner took place on Nov 7 of 2014.
By the time George moved to Chilliwack in Aug 2015 we’d become very close and were committed to making the long distance relationship work.  Although it was a challenge to visit each other due to George needing a dog sitter and me a cat sitter we managed to see each other once or twice a month. We treasured our time together. 
When we weren’t together physically we’d text and chat several times a day, with the occasional exception.  We had a few adventurers together: Toronto to see the Blue Jays for his 70th Bday (his favourite team) Kelowna’s wine country, a few musicals and a trip to Pender Island with Sugar girl. Who knew that a 50+ pound dog could fit in the middle part of a double kayak! When George suggested it I said, “you’re kidding, right?” and, typical George, responded  “why not?”  That was George!  It was such a hoot that we did it a second time.  
George was a huge part of my life for 5 years. He made me laugh big time and we often laughed at each other. He held my hand when we went for walks and kissed me in public. During one of my visits to Chilliwack not too long after he moved, we were snuggling and he looked at me and said “You know what? I’m in love with you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”  
I miss my George and will for the rest of my life, but he will remain in my heart forever.  Rest in peace, my love. Until we meet again. 


I was so very sorry to learn that George had passed away. I met him in 1981, when he hired me for my first job after university at Vancouver Magazine. He was a big part of my life for many years. George was funny, warm-hearted, dedicated to his craft, highly highly creative and fiercely loyal. My sincere condolences to his friends and family. Gone far too soon. 

I am so blessed, so lucky to have worked with George for 9 years during the start-up of BIV. Yes, we had brilliant editorial led by Peter Ladner’s team, but it was really tough selling an unknown. Business in What?!%%)(*) George inspired us, prodded us, created all sorts of sales games and empowered us. We would do anything - as long as it was ethical - for George and BIV. There are lots of books and videos on leadership, but I learned first - hand about leadership from the real deal, George. I've spoken to a lot of my colleagues especially on the sales and operational side and I think the common thread is we really cared about him and he cared about us and that's what makes a great leader. Thank you George and thank you Peter for the wonderful opportunity BIV gave to us.  George you will live forever in my heart.....




I'm so saddened to read of George's untimely passing, and send my sincere condolences to Diane,  Sandi and Val.

George was one of the wittiest and kindest people I've met. I had the privilege of being employed by George and Peter in the late '90s & they both imparted career wisdom that helped me tremendously.

RIP George. Taken too soon.

Love, Claire



I shared the same birthdate with George. When I first met him at BIV I found him somewhat intimidating however over time and with the annual sharing of a birthday card (which I still treasure)I discovered he was a very sweet man with a tough exterior but a heart of gold.  My deepest sympathies to Sandi and his family......he touched many hearts and he will be missed. 

I worked for George, and Sandi Gilmer, producing Urban Trenz/What's On Magazine. I will always remember his warmth, welcoming smile, high spirits, and contagious sense of humour. Rest In Peace George and keep smiling!

I was so deeply sorry to hear of George's passing. I know that my sister, Val, loved him very much.

George was one of the kindest, most easy-going people I've had the pleasure to get to know.  My most recent, happy memory is of George and Val at my daughter's wedding in September. I have a lovely photo of them both that I will treasure.

My sincerest condolences to George's family and friends. he will be missed.


 

I met George when he was hired by my friend Megan Abbott to help with the launch of Woman to Woman,  a magazine for B.C. women. It was a terrific test issue. I ran the distribution and George and Megan handled the content and the magazine found an early loyal readership.
After George moved on to BIV and I became publisher of Buy&Sell we’d meet with other independent publishers as VIP, Vancouver Independent Publishers.
Originally our meetings concentrated strategies to grow our publications as the big dailies worked against us. In short order our meetings switched to focusing on the internet as our biggest threat and opportunity and we all benefited from our shared knowledge. 
I’ll miss George he was one of the good guys from that publishing era.

The person on my mind is George Mleczko. A person who saw something in me when I didn’t see that much in myself. 

I received a phone call this evening from Sandi Gilmer and I just knew.  My personal ‘Leonard Cohen’ and ‘Big’ had passed away. Last Wednesday evening. A few days before his 73 birthday. 

I had the rare opportunity to understand and appreciate the genius of a ‘newspaper man’. He was hip before Mad Men made it a ‘thing’. 

I loved George. Very much. He recognized something in me that I hadn’t experienced before. He loved me. It was a relationship quite out of the ordinary but special and real. My closest girlfriends ‘got it’ once they saw us together. 

However, George was always going to be a bachelor and never going to marry. In the beginning- that was cool with me because that was what I wanted too. And then, I changed. Something more was waiting for me and, like a true gentleman, he did not hold me back. 

I met David. On our first date, I asked, ‘What is your birthday?’ He said, ‘November 18.’ Not possible. Can I please see your Drivers License? Of course. He produced his ID stating his birthday- November 18. 

Well, don’t I know how to pick them. David and George have the same birthday.

George was invited to and came to our wedding with his forever best friend Sandi Gilmer and his beautiful sister, Diane and brother-in-law Macgregor Small ...

Life goes by quickly and then you receive a phone call.

George - thank you for you.  
Sending you much love up above. 

If you knew George- you know he adored the Cabernet Sauvignon by @J.Lohr Vineyards - please grab a bottle and toast a media icon. 

🍷❤️🍷 RIP George Mleczko

OBITUARY

George Mleczko

November 18, 1946 – November 6, 2019

Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home

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