George Edward Terrence Little
It is with profound sadness that we announce that our beloved husband, father and grandpa George Little passed away peacefully on April 6, 2014 at Penticton General Hospital after bravely fighting a sudden but brief illness.
George was born April 17, 1944 in Geraldton, Ontario to William and Audrey Little. He spent his youth in Ontario and Winnipeg, where he became a journeyman electrician, and later ran his father’s electrical contracting company. He met his love, Mavis Little, in Winnipeg. They married in 1967 and spent 47 happy and full years together.
George and Mavis moved to Penticton in 1971, joining George’s parents, his sister and her family in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. They all enjoyed a rich and fun family life together. George worked as a manager for many years with his mentor, Phil Cooper, at Cooper and Gibbard Electric. George opened G. Little Electric in 1985, expanding the company to include alarm and HVAC installation and commercial building rentals. George’s daily goal was to provide excellent service and to create good, family-supporting jobs for the many talented people he valued so much at his company.
George was an outgoing and civic-minded person who actively volunteered countless hours in his community and industry. He served as President of the Southern Interior Construction Association and Penticton Industrial Development Association. He also served on the Boards of the BC Construction Association, Southern Okanagan Construction Association, Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, Valley First Credit Union, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan, S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society and the Electrical Safety Advisory Board of BC. He was an active and passionate volunteer with the BC Liberals, the Penticton Junior A hockey team and was a long-time volunteer for the Ironman race.
George was a great storyteller and had a keen interest in public life and all levels of politics. He had a generous spirit, and was quick to offer help to all, and share a smile and a laugh. George was an avid fisherman and boater, both in the Okanagan and in the waters of Nootka Sound. He enjoyed his many friends, and shared lunch every day for 15 years with all his closest buddies at the corner table of Debbie’s Diner.
George’s most treasured role was as grandfather to his beloved grandson, Joshua, with whom he spent countless hours of fun and laughter at the coast and in Penticton, especially at the “shop.”
George was predeceased by his parent’s, Bill and Audrey Little, and sister Maureen Franz (Ron Franz).
He will be greatly missed by his remaining family: his loving wife Mavis, daughter Tamara Little (Tom Syer) and grandson Joshua of Vancouver and daughter Debbie Little (Jari Solin) of Penticton. He also leaves nephews Geoff Franz (Penticton) and Kelly Franz (Squamish) and niece Rebecca Franz (Powell River).
All are welcome to attend a celebration of George’s life which will be held 2 pm, Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Penticton Convention Centre.
Donations in lieu of flowers will be gratefully accepted at the Dragonfly Pond Family Society, dragonflypondsociety.com. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.Hansonsfuneral.ca.