Obituary of Joseph Freeman George

Age 73 of Halifax, passed away on the evening of December 1st at The QEII Health Sciences Centre with his loving family by his side. Joe (Joey) was born Dec 25, 1946 to Wilfred and Violet (Maddox) George of Halifax, NS. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Ray Marchand, Robert (Bob) Armstrong, and sister-in-law Mary (Johnson) George. Raised in Halifax, Joe attended St. Pat’s High School (at least that is what he told his mother when he wasn’t tossing his textbooks in the ditch to partake in other endeavours). Following high school, he joined The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and served with NATO forces in Hemer, Germany where he also formed lifelong friendships with his “army brothers” and band mates from “The Tender Touch.” Following his honourable discharge from the forces, Joe returned to Halifax to marry his sweetheart, Arlene (née Ramsay) and began his lifelong career as a leader in the food service industry, eventually becoming a partner in Big Eric’s Restaurant Supplies and a lifelong member of the CFSEA. After two weeks of retirement, Joe who could never be idle, went on to be a consultant in the food services industry. Joe truly loved his life’s work and earned a place of respect in the industry. Generous to a fault, Joe was a principled person who always put people first and true to form, he asked about his clients until his dying days. From the time he was a child, Joe made an immediate impression on just about everyone he met. He was a doer and a giver who loved all in his professional and social circles. He was never on the sidelines in life. He had an extreme pride in his granddaughter, Samira, and grandsons Maddox, Breton, Coleman, Kinnon and Malcolm. In addition to his beloved family and friends, Joe’s greatest joys included his lifelong love affair with chocolate, drumming, music, travel, food, golf with friends and practical jokes. Joe was the consummate prankster. It can be said that he greeted each dawn dreaming up pranks. For Joe, pranks were definitely his second calling and his special brand of humour kept everyone on their toes. He loved to laugh; nobody laughed harder at Joe than he laughed at himself. Joe was full of life and vigour. People often commented on his boundless energy, which he shared with others through his involvement in various community organizations. He was a natural leader and quick to volunteer his time as a former church deacon, volunteer firefighter, Cub Scout leader, soccer coach, Director of the Central Chapter of HOG, a Mason and Shriner. He was always quick to lend a hand wherever it was needed and being of service to others demonstrated his old school values. Joe’s undeniable joy of life filled so many people with light, love, and laughter. He had an unwavering devotion to family and friends and his children and grandchildren were his greatest source of pride. When he was diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia in 2009, he was given a five year lease on life. Joe wouldn’t have that—he was determined to keep making memories with his grandchildren and thanks to a medical study, was able to do that for 11 years. The way he died was as he lived; he wrote his own rules and remained in the driver’s seat all the way. Even in his tired, final moments, he maintained his positive outlook, sense of humour, and devotion to family. The strength he demonstrated in life, he continued to show even as he faced death—comforting Arlene, Shelley, and AJ before making his final journey. The many memories and stories shared among so many are a testament to his one-of-a-kind personality. His unique sense of humour, his wide smile and goofy giggle will forever remain in our hearts and memories. Joe leaves behind to mourn, his wife Arlene (Ramsay) George, daughter Shelley and granddaughter Samira (Dartmouth), son Andrew (AJ) George, his wife Mary Barrington-George and grandsons Maddox, Breton, Coleman, Kinnon and Malcolm (Wellington), siblings Joan Marchand (Bedford), Gary George (Orillia, ON), Susie (Tom) Moffatt (Brookside), sisters-in-law Janet (Carl) Noye and Barb Armstrong (Halifax). He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. We would like to send out a special thank you to Joe’s medical team and wonderful nurses at The QEII Health Sciences Centre who cared for him through the years and in his final weeks. Especially the late Dr. Stephen Couban and Dr. Mary Keating. Cremation has taken place. Due to The Covid-19 Pandemic and travel restrictions, celebrations of life and internment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Joe’s memory can be made towards educational funds for his grandchildren or to The Canadian Cancer Society.