I am sad to inform you that George Ralph Presby died on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, but grateful that his death came peacefully while he slept.

How do I sum up George’s life in a few paragraphs, it’s next to impossible. I will start by stating the obvious for all that knew him; he was a complicated man. I can say without question that he was one of the smartest men I have ever known. He could turn his hand to anything. He was a sheet metal mechanic by trade but could  fix just about any machine. If it was broken and he didn’t have the exact parts to repair it, he could usually  make something to do the job and not necessarily in a conventional fashion. He had a unique mind that could think outside the box. He may have been an asshole  to work with at times but no one ever doubted his talent. He did heating and air conditioning installations early in his career for Bearstos in Fredericton. One of my favourite stories is when he quit that job. He had an altercation with a client and refused to apologize so he took his tools from the back of his van, tied open the back doors with bungy cords, put it in reverse, backed up, slammed on the brakes and dumped the owner’s equipment on the ground and drove off into the sunset. Although that was before my time, I can just picture him doing it.  He then worked for Thomas Industrial, installing  boilers for the Atlantic provinces. He drove a company van with a volcano logo on the side which earned him the moniker of Captain Volcano. He had many nicknames: Jammer George, as he was a member of the Jammers Motorcycle Club,  Mr Moose as he loved Moosehead beer. Jorge from his good friend Carolyn.  There are many more, some not so nice but I will leave it at that.  What can I say, he was a ton of fun and a genuine badass. He was a certified diver and could swim like a fish. The man even had his own sewing machine and could make a dress if put his mind to it. I don’t doubt for a minute that if he had the inclination and the education, he could have been a brain surgeon, lol.

His next adventure was in Pincher Creek, Alberta.  He worked for Shell Canada at the Waterton gas plant as a sheet metal mechanic for 20 years. Although we had a good  life and many wonderful friends, he always wanted to come back east. We bought  a property in Red Islands, Cape Breton and that is where he lived until he moved back west to be near his son Russell.

He was plagued by illness in his last years but he was tough and hung in there longer than was thought possible. Unfortunately, in the last few years, he had little quality of life so we can’t feel sad that his struggle is over. I was lucky enough to get a call from him the night before he died. I will be forever grateful for that.

George was a scrapper but he was also very popular with the ladies. That being said, there were three women whom he loved. His first wife Martha, with whom he had six children: George (Geordie), Donnie, Tony, Russell, Patty and Margret Ann.

Janice Fanjoy, with whom he had his last child Melanie.

And then there was me, Debi to whom he was married for 37 years, and remained close until his death.

He is survived by his sister Carol Cook, his children and his many grandchildren.

There will be no funeral arrangements as per George’s wishes but there will be a celebration of life in Pincher Creek sometime in November.  If you are not able to attend then please feel free to have your own celebration wherever you are or at the very least raise a glass in his honour, he would love that!

We will miss you George and I hope there is a Princess Auto and a good tavern in the great beyond as I know that’s where you will be hanging out!

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2021-08-17
• Location : Alberta