George Kelcey Vallance

George Kelcey Vallance (born January 28th, 1947) passed away on March 27th, 2025 with his family by his side. George was born and raised in Burnaby BC and graduated from Burnaby South Secondary School. George called Burnaby home for 49 years, and after that spent the remainder of his life in New Westminster, with his final months in Fort Langley.

George lived a life dedicated to Valerie (Hayes), his wife and best friend of 57 years, and his children, Leah (Clauzel) and Jeff. He was the ultimate example of a Husband, Dad, Pa, and Opa, and he was the perfect father-in-law to Glenn and Lorian. He was devoted to his grandchildren Vanessa, Amanda, Kaitlyn, Benjamin, and Rhys. George had a gift with children. When his grandchildren were little, George was often the baby whisperer as he was always able to bring calm, peace, and gentleness to any situation with his children and grandchildren.

George earned himself many nicknames throughout the years, including ‘One-Beer George’, and ‘Georgie Boy’. The countless hours he spent in the pool swimming with his grandchildren also earned him the nickname ‘Fish-Pa’. George was a gifted athlete and spent his younger days playing church league baseball and hockey. In those days church league hockey wasn’t for the faint of heart, but George was always a peacemaker…always referring to himself as ‘a lover, not a fighter’. As a young adult, George would cruise the streets of Vancouver in his 1963 Chevy Impala Convertible and hang out at Wally’s Burgers on Kingsway with his best pals Dick Selles, Archie Reedeker, and Ray Ravensbergen. In his later years, George loved the many years he spent playing in the Oldtimer Beer Leagues with the Rusty Blades hockey team, often even travelling with the Blades to out-of-town tournaments. He would only drink one beer after the games, and the nickname ‘One-Beer George’ stuck.

George cherished the times spent skiing with his grandchildren. He loved cruising the blue ski runs at the local mountains and in Kimberley BC. Jeff even had some success getting George onto the black diamond runs. A devout exerciser, every night he could be seen riding his bike through the streets of New Westminster, always ending his ride with his nightly sit-ups and push-ups. He was fit as a horse, and Jeff had to start running to try to keep in as good of shape as his Dad.

George worked as an incredibly well-respected and knowledgeable man in the lower mainland grocery industry for 47 years, spending most of his years with Slade & Stewart and Koning’s Wholesale/Sysco. For a period of time, he was the main mushroom supplier to all of Japan during his tenure with Money’s Mushrooms! George always earned the admiration and respect of his coworkers as a kind and honest family man. George even organized playing catch with coworkers outside on lunch breaks. George never took a day off work. He passed his work ethic down to Leah and Jeff. When Leah and Jeff were young, George would bring them to work events. He would always remind them to squeeze hard when you shake hands when introduced and always look them in the eye.

When Leah and Jeff were younger, George and Valerie spent their nights devoted to their sports and activities, driving them all over the Lower Mainland to figure skating, hockey, and baseball. George was the ultimate sports parent and coach. On a long drive home after a bad hockey game or figure skating competition, he knew when to give advice, and more importantly, when to say nothing. He was never disappointed. Instead, he was always caring, kind, and loving.

George lived a quiet life as a devoted husband to his wife, Valerie. Their yearly trips to Maui and Otter Lake were highlights where many memories were made. George also loved his summer family adventures in Osoyoos and Kimberley with Valerie, Leah, Jeff, and all the grandchildren. George was an easygoing traveller…and was often referred to as ‘Tommy Bahama’ given his suntan, sunglasses, and Hawaiian button-up shirt he always sported on their trips to Maui. In 2016, George visited the Netherlands for the first time. During that visit, he spent a day in his Mother’s birthplace of Beverwijk. He finally got to experience the Dutch culture he grew up with, cruising the streets on a rusty bike, having a Starbucks and chatting with strangers while relaxing on a bench in Vondelpark, and enjoying his daily Heineken, broodje, friets, and kroketes.

We can all learn so much from George and the way he lived. A man full of love for Jesus and his family. Never one to be caught up in current events (except for his long-suffering Canucks), every day he was able to sit, relax, and be still with himself and with Valerie. He would often sit out on the deck, and close his eyes, praying and humming old gospel tunes. But much to Valerie’s dismay, he would doze off to sleep! George never owned or knew how to operate an iPhone. Instead of being on a phone, he always had his six or twelve-string guitar in hand and would strum to his favourite music that included Don Williams, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, and Roy Orbison. And while there was never a phone in his pocket, there always was a comb for his hair.

Enjoy your reward in heaven Georgie-Boy. You are now safe in the arms of Jesus with your Mom (Jacoba) and Dad (Kelcey). Enjoy the heavenly mountains, freshly groomed ski runs, ice rinks, sandy beaches, and sunsets. They must be spectacular and beyond what we can imagine. Have a cold beer up there for us George…but only one.

Instead of flowers, and to honour our Georgie-Boy, put your phone away, and spend time with your family and friends. Live a life of quiet solitude and service, full of kindness and gentleness. Love your neighbour, and be slow to anger, judge, and criticize. Be quick to forgive. George truly had all the fruits of the spirit.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”

Revelations 21:4

A celebration of life will be held for George on May 19th at the Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby, at 11 am.