PARKER: George William
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George Parker died on May 11, 2015 at age 90. Kindness, honesty and loyalty were the values by which he lived his life. He was devoted to his wife of 63 years, Beatrice, as well as his five children Mary Ann (Royce), Jim (Kate), Catherine, David (Wendy) and Caroline (Rob) and twelve grandchildren, Sarah, Vanessa, Antonia, Royce, Quinn, Oliver, Georgia, Elliot, Benoit, Matthew, William and Lauren. George grew up in Humboldt where he developed his passion for hockey and met Beatrice. After a stint in the Army during World War 2, George studied Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. He then played professional hockey in Milwaukee, Fort Wayne and Grand Rapids in the early 1950s, where his achievements included 50 goals in 50 games and the International Hockey League scoring title. Upon settling in Regina to bring up the family, George worked for the Government of Saskatchewan in various departments until his retirement in 1984. For many years, George maintained an active involvement with hockey, coaching many minor hockey teams before moving into hockey administration. He served as president of the Regina Minor Hockey Association, the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association and finally, a director of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. He made many friends and made a major contribution to the development of minor hockey in Canada over many years. After his retirement, George pursued his other passion for painting and sculpture, becoming an art student at the University of Regina, obtaining his second university degree in Fine Arts, 35 years after his first degree. His main studio was the cabin on the shores of Mission Lake where he and Beatrice spent many happy summers. George lived by the principle that every person was equally special and deserved to be treated accordingly. He put the needs of others before his own, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He leaves a legacy of devotion to family, friends, the church and community.ÌýGeorge enriched the lives of those who knew and loved him and he will be greatly missed. The family attended a mass at St. Anne’s as well as a private memorial celebration of his life.
