George Conway-Brown

LCol (Ret.) George Conway-Brown passed away peacefully in the Royal Columbian Hospital at the age of 84.  George was born in Vancouver, BC, in 1928, son of the late George and Iris Conway-Brown.  Before graduating high school, George completed two circumnavigations as a merchant mariner onboard SS Green Hill Park starting in June 1944.  He survived the ship’s explosion in Vancouver Harbour, on 6 March 1945.  George joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1948.  He completed an exemplary career, flying Lancasters out of Greenwood, N.S., and Summerside, P.E.I.  In 1960, he was posted as a foreign exchange officer to Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, California, where he taught US Air Force Officers to deliver strategic weapons from B47s and B52s.  He completed his career as Base Commander of CFB Penhold, Alberta.  George retired after 26 years of dedicated service and began a new career as farmer Brown near Pine Lake, Alberta.  He spent the next 20 years growing crops and raising purebred polled Herefords.  George was highly respected and enjoyed a great sense of humour.  He described his dialysis requirements as “another medical adventure.”

George married the love of his life, Helene Marie Boulanger, 4 November 1950, and they raised four children while moving back and forth across Canada.  Later in life, George became a co-author assisting in writing A Great Fleet of Ships and Canada’s Air Forces on Exchange.  He enjoyed fishing, boating, painting, and reading in retirement and always cheered for the BC Lions.

George is survived by his wife, Helene, and his children, Jane Rawluk, Michael (Mary), Paul, and Mark (Rebecca); his brother, John (Phylis), sister, Maud (Norm) Barker; his grandchildren, Teresa (Brad Patzer), Chris (Danlin), Holly (Norm Bain) and Ben (Ashley); his great grandchildren, Daniele, Evan, Hanna, and Matthew Patzer; Evelina, Tanas, and Conway Rawluk; and Alex Bain.  His request was for a small funeral of close family members.  Donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation in lieu of flowers. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.

Yea, though I fly through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for I am at 20,000 feet and climbing. Fly high, George.