Obituary of George Walter Bailey

BAILEY. George Walter

 It is with profound sadness that we the family announce George’s unexpected passing on July 13, 2019 at the Kentville Regional Hospital following a brief illness. George was born October 21, 1927 in Glace Bay, NS to the late Gilberta (Boutiler) and Benjamin Bailey.

George will be forever missed by his loving wife Rita (O’Connell) Bailey, sons George (Mary Frances) James JB (Archenia), stepchildren Gary (Sandy) McKinnon, Deborah (Hugh) Muise, Richard McKinnon, Ellen (Greg) Ferguson. Also left to mourn his passing are his sisters Gilberta Slade and Sylvia McPherson and brother Vibert (Bev) Bailey.

He was pre-deceased by his first wife Marie (Slade), 2 sons Gerald and James and his daughter Colleen and son in law Dave Walsh. Also deceased were George’s brothers Guy and James and sisters Janet Brooks and Charlene Borden.

As a young man and an avid outdoorsman, George enjoyed his summers at the cottage on Gillis Lake with his family. In his later years, he loved camping at Seal Island, spending memorable moments with family and friends.

A careered coal miner, George retired from #26 Colliery at the age of 58. When he reflected on his experiences in the pit, he often shared the more humorous stories of his years underground.

The greatest joy of George’s life was time spent with his 14 grandchildren and 10 great---grandchildren, all who fondly referred to him as “Poppie”.  Even at the age of 91, he continued to be actively engaged in their lives, holding strong bonds with each of them. In return, their admiration of him was beyond amazing.

Cremation has taken place. Family gathered to celebrate George’s life at George and Rita’s home in Berwick, NS. The family would request a small deed of kindness passed on to another in his memory as this is how George lived his life.

"Time is not measured by the years that you live, but by the deeds that you do and the joys that you give-” Helen Steiner Rice