Lot's of love to you, Grandpa George. I know you and Grandma Winanne are reunited, and are laughing together up over a gin and tonic. I'll always remember with fondness our summers together in LaSalle. Even though you're in a better plance now, we'll all miss you very much! xox

TO George's family:
Sorry to hear of George's passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I worked with George, at Industrial Models. If I happened to be back, in Windsor, when one of the coffee meetings was taking place, I would attend.
Don & Maureen Blenkinsop.

August 21, 2017
As my sister mentioned my dad loved dogs, horses and cars. I believe that those 3 loves were in my genes. I never had any fear of any of those 3 things and I believe that it defiantly was genetics. My dad taught my sister all those things though who could forget her parties when I bought the ponies over to the yard!!! 

My first ride with him was at Totem Pole Ranch, first thing he says is if you fall off you get right back on or you never will ride again, you will be too afraid. Sure enough we jump a ditch no one warns me, I fall off. He was not going to give up until I got back on and I did and loved to ride ever since. Then at 10 I started working on a ranch. He would go there and ride this ginormous horse; X-Mas Tree, my dad road him a lot. But after I had ridden for a few years that same horse turfed him off on his bum. Ha-ha, I laughed, him not so much!!! He never mentioned it again, nor did he go there and ride that horse again, but he did get back on and off real quick!!!! I road that horse a lot but knew better than to rub it in.

All the kids in my family (most of them) I have taken them on their 1st pony ride with the same message my dad gave me. One of them did fall off and I had to make them get back on, it made me realize how difficult that was for my dad. Make sure they are okay, no lovey duvey stuff, get back on. The rest came later on congratulating them for being so brave! Not an easy job that one! Nor is being a parent! 

We always had dogs, Dalmatian  Ben in England, other Dalmatians in Canada and then an Old English Sheep dog. But dad he always wanted a German Shepard and I gave him his first - Rex! I don't think I ever remember him looking at me with such love in his eyes the day he got that dog. After that whenever I went over he was worried I was there to confiscate his beloved Rex. That same dog got heartworm, the vet said to put him down it would cost too much for surgery and then he would have to keep him quiet for 6 months after the surgery. Well the surgery was done and that darn dog and my stubborn dad proved that vet wrong, he was up running around in less than 3 months. That dog listened as well as my dad did "don't tell me what I can and can't do. Rex lived to a ripe old age and losing him was one of my dad's biggest heartbreaks. (I am sure that is where my brother David, gets his love for German Shepard's)

Cars your dam right! As a teen and tomboy I was right in there working on cars with all the guys. Today's cars forget it, the ones of yesteryear and beyond are real cars. Late 70's back, they don't make em how they used to!! His old T-bird I would have given my right arm for that car!!!

Of course who can forget, those who know about it, and I am sure it is nothing he bragged about. He had his new white car (I forget the make), but he cherished it like all his other vehicles! I don't think he even let Wynn Ann drive it, not for a while anyway! He had built a beautiful garage in the backyard for his cars and tools. Well I do believe he was in a wee tiff that day (very unusual for him, ha-ha), he got in his car to take off and go for a ride. Well he puts it in drive and bam right through the back of the garage, took the whole back out!!! Of course the car should have been in reverse. I am sure not many people know that story because I didn't know it for a long time until my brother or sister told me!!! News to most I am sure.

My most cherished possession ever, a man's St. Christopher medal on a heavy chain. I wore that from the day I got it to the day I lost it at the CNE. I cried for weeks and weeks, searched for it and called the CNE every few days to see if they found it. I never got over that, but neither did he for my sake, he tried to find one to replace it but never could.

Dad was a perfectionist and it showed in all he did. There was a time that my ex-husband, Tim decided to go and help my dad put his waterbed (yes waterbed) together. In the house Tim goes. Wynn Ann, my dad's parents who were over visiting and myself all went "oh no"! Sure enough not even 5 minutes later, after hearing yelling and swearing, my ex walks out cursing saying "what is wrong with him I was just trying to help." There would lay the problem only my dad could do it perfect, he thought! Saved us a lot of hassles growing up we never had to ask if he wanted help!

The man was a top notch model maker and carpenter. When we first moved, as youngsters, to LaSalle, my mum and he ordered furniture. When delivered the coffee table was fine but there was something wrong with the end tables. This was modern furniture, not your everyday end tables they were round and ornate. He told them to take them back and no he did not want replacements. Imagine my surprise when I came home from school one day and there they were a week later. He had made them to specification to match the coffee table. I think that was when I realized the talent he had.

Dad was also a wee chauvinistic but to his credit he got a bit better as time went on. When I was about 25 I took a tool and die apprenticeship one of the reasons being I admired my dad's work and also thinking it would make us closer. Boy that backfired he could not figure out why his daughter would take that training. Son maybe, daughter no way that was not a job for a girl!!! But that was who he was. 

He could draw unbelievably, (I am sure that is where his grandson Mac gets it from and also from Mac's dad). Horses being his favourite (boy I wish I had some of those drawings and pics now)!

As Claire and Gil mentioned he was never the same after Wynn Ann died. Unfortunately his decline was destined. Claire and David often asked him to come to BC but that was not to be. He didn't like change, even if it meant being with his kids. Thank goodness he had lots of friends, and thank you to all that were there for him.

The only soleus is that he is once again in Wynn Ann's arms and they have eternity to be together.

Also his first great-grandson, Matthias passed away just as he turned six, 6 years ago. They never met but you can be sure Matthias was waiting with open arms to meet his great-grandpa. Now they are together!

He also leaves 2 more great-grandsons, Anton (8) and Noah (6). They never met due to circumstances but they do know George (and Wynn Ann) through photos and stories.

They also adore horses, dogs and cars. Anton who can be a bit nervous about some things (not like his daredevil brother); on his first pony ride I turned around and saw him trotting across the arena after being on the horse 5 mins. All I could think of is George would be proud, kid after his own heart! 

Noah especially loves cars anything with 4 wheels. My angel; Matthias also was car crazy, the movie Cars' and its theme song Life is a Highway', no matter how sick, hours before he passed he could sing every word to that song, something I think my dad would appreciate!

Dad could be stubborn something I DEFINATELY got from him. To the point we had not spoken for a while, 2 peas in a pod. I will have to live with that guilt, but I don't think he held that against me (I hope), as he was the same. My prayers are that he didn't!

I tried to call on the Sunday, as unfortunately he got sick quickly. I never got through!! I never did say goodbye!!

Dad I didn't get through but I hope you know I did love you, I will always love you.

PLEASE ANYONE WHO READS THIS OR CAN PASS IT ALONG TO OTHERS, DO NOT WAIT THINKING YOU ALWAYS HAVE TOMORROW. SOMETIMES TOMORROW DOES NOT COME. (IF A 6 YEAR OLD CAN DIE IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN). HOLD THOSE YOU LOVE CLOSE AND DEAR & NEVER END A CONVERSATION OR GO TO BED MAD, EVEN IF THEY ARE DIFFICULT AT TIMES DON'T WAIT. I WILL LIVE WITH THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. DON'T DO THE SAME. (If anything positive comes I hope this message will help a bit)!!!!

Goodbye Dad, rest in peace, we will be together one day!

Love You and Will Never Forget, Joannne



My Dad loved dogs, horses and cars-  possibly in that order. He taught me my love of horses and dogs BUT not so much cars!  But as I had dinner on Ouellette Avenue Friday August 18 having finalized plans for his service, up and down Ouellette were old classic cars. Dad was being cheeky with me again- those classic cars matter!      
Most of all- he and Wynn Ann taught me the value of true love- Not perfect love but everlasting love.
I would ask that anyone who has a special memory share it with the group to celebrate George's life.
Sincerely Claire

George - I am so glad I got to talk to you the day before you died, even if it wasn't for long - living in England made personal contact with you so difficult but you were often in my thoughts - I know you were never the same after Wynn Ann passed away and I take great comfort in the fact that you are now reunited. I wish I could be there on Monday but circumstances will just not allow it but I will be standing next to Clare in my thoughts and will light a candle in the Country of your birth - RIP

Norma & Kevin

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

OBITUARY

George Santella

November 16, 1938 – August 14, 2017

Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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