George Kowbel
George was born April 16, 1921 in Melville, Saskatchewan, passed away December 28, 2011 at the age of 90 years. Served in the RCAF 1940 to 1945, serving overseas. In 1942, he married his hometown sweetheart, Mabel Trueman. In 1952, he started work in the BC Forest Industry, and was an active Trade Unionist, serving as a Union Official for the IWA Local 1-217 for over 25 years. In the 1960’s, he served successfully as Campaign Manager for such notables as Tommy Douglas and Tom Berger in BC. In January 1973, was appointed as a Commissioner to the W.C.B. of BC. In July of 1978, appointed by the Vancouver Municipal and Regional Employees’ Union as their business manager in the City of Vancouver, serving until October 1984, when he retired. George is survived by his wife Mae of 69 years, son Gordon of Vancouver, daughter Patricia of Coquitlam, brother Alex of Hawaii, and sister Mary of Saskatoon. No service by request.
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Dear Auntie Mae, Gordon and Patricia
I was very sorry to hear that Uncle George has passed away. I have fond memories of childhood visits with him and your family.
With great sympathy, your niece and cousin.
Sue (Alex’s daughter)
Uncle George was an inspiration to me both politically and figureatively.
I’ll never forget his consul when I was first running for presidency of my union. He wisely told me to always maintain your personal integrity and be honest and truthful with the “rank and file”. The coporations job was to obfuscate the truth and mine as a president was to find the truth as I saw it and relate it. Let the politics be determined upon your record. I won that election and never forgot his consul.
He was also very instrumental/ helpful in my efforts to find more ancestral history concerning the Kowbel and the Szaros families.
He was a “classy” Uncle. I’ll miss him.
Our kindest thoughts and most sincere condolences to Aunt Mae, Patricia and Gordon.
We will always fondly remember the time we had to visit and re-connect when George made the trip from BC to visit his brother Joe in Regina. We are truly blessed to have had George as a brother and uncle.
Mary, Marlene, and Wayne Dimen
Saskatoon
George and I were good buddies when we were growing up. I recall being known as “little” kowbel because I had 3 bigger brothers. I had no fear of being “picked on” even though I was small for my age. George was always close by. One of our favorite pastimes was to roam the countryside outside of Melville, catch gophers, go skinny dipping. We also played road hockey with horse pucks on the street in the winter months and baseball in the summer months. George had a great pitching arm and could throw out most opposition. George was a force in the labor movement and perhaps got his start from our father. George will always be remembered fondly by me. I deeply mourn his passing. and pass on my condolences to Mae, Gord, and Patty.
I remember Uncle George for his kindness towards me when I spent some time in Vancouver and also when I was a child. He used to show me his findings from panning for gold. My sincere sympathies.
Cousin / Nephew David Kowbel
It was with great sadness that I learned of Uncle George’s passing.
I remember him fondly as a quiet and sage man with varied interests and a keen perception of politics.
Aunt Mae, Gordon and Patricia, please accept Rosemary and my sincere condolences.
Regards,
Nephew & Cousin Tom