George John Hallman

It is with much sadness that the family of George Hallman announce his passing March 16, 2015. He passed away in Peace Arch Hospital with family at his side.

George was born in Kerrobert Saskatchewan in 1929 and was one of 13 children of Lucy and George. The family moved to Alberta and farmed in the Penhold area. He left the family home early in life and worked many jobs and acquired the skills that served him well later in life.

When working at a hardware store in Red Deer Alberta, he met his wife of 62 years, Bernice. They settled in Blackfalds and thus began his life of sales, traveling from town to town and city to city. In 1952 a daughter Judith was born. At one point in his career, he was tasked with selling vacuum cleaners door to door in the Lethbridge area to homes that did not yet have any electric power! Hindrances such as those did little to stall his ability to sell something if he believed in the product or service.
Their life led the family to Edmonton, Alberta where George was employed by Woodward’s in the appliance department. After a time, the family moved to Calgary and a career in Life Insurance Sales, Real Estate Sales and then back again to Woodward’s, Kelvinator and finally Philco Ford in the appliance department. He was often the top sales person and claimed many a trip or award for his sales figures.

George and family moved to Penticton in 1960 to work in a business with his brother Paul. The family soon moved back to Calgary and in 1965 a son Craig was born.  During those years George was often doing home improvements and tending his immaculate lawns. He also enjoyed curling, bowling, golfing and going to the Stampeders football games with Jeannette and Rick Patterson. He loved to put on his famous Bar-B-Q breakfasts that many friends and family would enjoy in the summertime.

George and Bernice in 1970 decided to move to Oliver and acquired the Dairy Queen there and the family settled into life in a small town. 

He loved the day to day challenges of being self-employed and catering to both the town folk and travelers to his Dairy Queen. Always very aware of the way the food was made and presented to the customer made this a favourite spot of many a hungry soul.
After a couple of years they left Oliver and moved to Kelowna where he opened a restaurant, called Churchill’s Fish n Chips, with a partner and later as sole owner. This establishment was again a favourite spot for the hungry and was always busy especially during Hillclimb days in the summer.

As time passed, there were several moves in the Kelowna area, from downtown to a small orchard in Lakeview Heights and finally back into town.

Summertime meant George and his son would visit his brother Ben Hallman in nearby Kamloops to go fishing where they would discuss, while waiting for the fish to bite, whether George's beloved Calgary sports teams were better than Ben's Edmonton sports teams.  

George was always creative and enjoyed woodworking and designing things on his own, he took classes in Vancouver and started his own business called Creative Tiles. This was his baby...and he loved the dealing with clients, builders and the "do it yourself" centres. As he was particular to details and a perfectionist, his skills were often sought after by the top builders at that time. His wife, Bernice was the bookkeeper and scheduler for his client appointments as well as looking after the growing family members and keeping things in order in the home.

They lived in the Kelowna area until 2005, then they moved to the Lower Mainland to be closer to family. George continued to putter at his craft with the family’s renovations and often could be seen building fences or tiling a bathroom floor.

As time passed he had some health issues but one of his greatest pleasures were his three Punkins! His two granddaughters and their family beagles......first Paris and finally Bandit. They were always going on walks and sharing a special treat that was hidden in a pocket of his pants or coat resulting in a hilarious battle between human and dog!

His patience and love for his granddaughters were only matched by his total love for his great grandson. They were snuggle buddies from the start and often he would be found on his hands and knees to be more Keaton’s size.

They moved into a condo in White Rock in spring of 2014 and by the fall he had fallen very ill with cancer. Despite a successful operation he succumbed to complications and frail health in March of 2015. His battle was long and hard, but in the end,  he was not strong enough to overcome these setbacks.
He was survived by his wife, Bernice of 62 years, his daughter, Judith(Melvin), son Craig(Charlene), granddaughter Christina(Arlo), granddaughter Nicole(Sean), and great grandson Keaton. Also remembering George are many brothers, sisters and their extended families, his wife’s family members including many nieces and nephews and business colleges throughout B.C. and Alberta.

The family of George Hallman is grateful for all the consideration and attention given to him by Dr. David Anderson, the staff of the ICU Unit and Second Floor staff of Peace Arch Hospital.
Cremation followed, with a family celebration of George’s life .

Family requests anyone wishing to remember George, that donations may be made to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, B.C. Diabetes Fund and the Heart and Stroke Fund of B.C. 

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.