George Young Sommerville
November 21st, 2022
George Young Sommerville, of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia passed away peacefully, with his loving daughter Carolyn at his side, on November 21, 2022, at 102 years of age.
George was born in Alberta. He was the eldest of nine children born to George Day Sommerville and Mary Eliza (Young) Sommerville. He was raised on a farm near Three Hills Alberta with his four brothers and four sisters. He was a loving husband to Ida Mae (Ames) Sommerville and a devoted father to Lindsay, Jim, and Carolyn. After attending a one-room country school George graduated from the Three Hills high school. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1940 but received an honorable discharge in 1941 for health reasons.
After a rewarding career as a Chartered Account with Northwestern Utilities, George and Ida Mae retired to BC where they enjoyed travelling and many new adventures living near the ocean.
George will be deeply missed by his sister, Margaret Raffan, his brother,
Robert Sommerville and wife Goldaree Sommerville; his son, Jim Sommerville; his daughter, Carolyn Stoppard, and son-in-law Bill Stoppard; his bonus daughter, Jean Mudd; his dear friend Hilda Schneider; his grandchildren Dianne Gomes, Michael Sommerville, David Opikokew, Geoffrey Middleton, Joe Stoppard, Matthew Middleton, Nicole Stoppard; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ida Mae; his sons, David, and Lindsay; and his grandson Eric; his parents,
George and Mary; his siblings, Lindsay, John, Mary, Mable, Ron, and Wilda.
George had a twinkle in his eye, an easy laugh, and gave a one-of-a-kind hug, which one of his grandsons stated, “made every bad feeling melt away”. He was a true gentleman and had a gift of making people feel special and cared for. His life was filled with the love of family and friends. George often stated, he had a good life, a really good life. George will be dearly missed by so many who knew and loved him.
A service celebrating George’s life will be held on December 7th, 2022, at
1pm at the Society’s First Alternative Services, 3070 - 275A STREET, ALDERGROVE, B.C. V4W 3L4.
A service for internment will be at the Sarcee Butte Cemetery in Alberta at a later date. Details to follow.
Messages:
I had the pleasure of working with George at Northwestern Utilities. A true real gentleman with a giving personality. While George was still in Edmonton, he was kind enough to give my daughter a bicycle that his girls had outgrown. I am so very happy that he had a long, enjoyable retirement with his family. Rest in Peace!
What a wonderful, kind and gentle soul. How lucky I was to work for him. He has left me with many smiles. Thank you Mr. Sommerville:)
Many fond memories of George boating and water skiing on Shuswap with my daughters and me. He was a kind man. Ed Goyan
George was a wonderful boss during my time in the Secretarial Department of NUL in the mid 1970’s. RIP George
George and Ida Mae were my first wonderful introduction to the Sommerville family, and we loved visiting with them. Ida Mae left me with all the family history work she had done. After we had lost Ida Mae, Uncle George came out on our sailboat with us, and much later came to visit us in Mexico with Hilda. They came twice actually. While they were at the beach, Uncle George tried para-sailing. He was an adventurer for sure! We loved him, and send the family our condolences.
My memories of George are of a gracious and personable man. He was my Dad’s cousin. He very kindly drove from White Rock to visit my Dad and came to some family events. My parents, Tom and Margie Sommerville used to visit George and Ida Mae on Vancouver Island when they lived there. I remember George telling me about his family ancestry records as I have an interest in that area. He was a lovely fellow.
Sending love and hugs to Everyone. Uncle George was a very gracious man and a beautiful soul. ❤️ He will be missed dearly by all. Rest In Peace Uncle George, we love you. ❤️ Memories are very precious and we will hold them close to our ♥️ hearts. Always, Gavin and Sherry and Families
Uncle George always made us feel so loved and cared for. He was more like a grandfather to me. He shared in many special moments and milestones in my life. All my memories of Uncle George are filled with laughter and love. We love you and will miss you Uncle George. Sending love to you Carolyn, Jim and extended family. Marva, CharIes Camden and Haden.
My goodness, what an amazing life Uncle George had. So happy to have celebrated his 100th with all of you! He and Aunt Mae always felt like grandparents to me as I was fortunate to have spent so much time with them as a child when our families both lived in Edmonton and then again while we all lived in the Comox Valley. I have many treasured memories of spending time in the kitchen baking blackberry pies with Aunt Mae and games of Rummikub with Uncle George. Uncle George had a wonderful outlook on life and maintained his interest in the younger generations. Uncle George you will be missed. xoxo
My goodness, what an amazing life Uncle George had. So happy to have celebrated his 100th with all of you! He and Aunt Mae always felt like grandparents to me as I was fortunate to have spent so much time with them as a child when our families both lived in Edmonton and then again while we all lived in the Comox Valley. I have many treasured memories of spending time in the kitchen baking blackberry pies with Aunt Mae and games of Rummikub with Uncle George. Uncle George had a wonderful outlook on life and maintained his interest in the younger generations. Uncle George you will be missed. xoxo
I met George and Ida Mae in Edmonton in 1972 when I flew over to BC for an elective in Prince George. George and Ida Mae looked after me and with my wife Pauline we have been back to Canada many times. it has always been a pleasure to see and stay with George on his various residencies on Vancouver Island, Fort Langley and White Rock. Meeting George has been one of the highlights of my life. Despite his long and fulfilled life we both miss him dearly.
I met George in 1972 at my marriage to Allison Scott. Somervilles and Scotts were very close friends - extended family mostly. Spent many memorable occasions with George and Ida Mae. Always felt welcome and at home when visiting or camping with them. I will always have wonderful memories of my friendship with George and Ida Mae. I would bet that right now George and Ida Mae are with Stan and Phyllis at Mara lake, having a wonderful reunion.
Hugh and I offer our heartfelt condolences to you and Jim and Uncle George's extended family. Hugh has many fond memories of Uncle George's kindness throughout his life. We both enjoyed his humour and loved seeing out at the farm. May your fond memories offer comfort at this sad time.
His smile, sense of humor, generosity and wit will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
George lived in my building for several years and became part of our strata council. He was a rock that we depended upon. When he was, I think, 90, he went up a ladder on my patio and bagged and cut down a hornet nest. He said that "any prairie boy" could do it. (I was about to call a pest control company.) We became friends and shared the odd scotch. I missed him terribly when he moved away. He was a fine man.