George passed away June 26, 2008 at his home in Quesnel at the age of 77. He was born April 28, 1931 in Port Haney, BC, the third of four children of George Albert and Paulina (Fuerst) Dye. The family moved to Alberta in 1932 when George’s grandfather passed away there, and farmed near Bashaw until 1945. In this year, they came back to BC to Vernon where George completed his schooling. He worked at a number of jobs in various locations throughout BC until coming to Quesnel in 1957 with BC Hydro. Here he met and married Shirley “Sis” Beath. Aside from a year back in Vernon, George spent the rest of his life in Quesnel.
He entered into the garage business and later owned a billiards hall, Dye’s Billiards, before his employment with School District #28. He held the position of custodial supervisor for 23 years, retiring in 1991.
Over the years, George enjoyed baseball and curling, and spent much of his spare time golfing at the Quesnel club. He took great pleasure in teaching his older grandson to golf. Following his retirement, he could always be found enjoying the social atmosphere at Time Horton’s. He loved being with people and could strike up a conversation with complete strangers.
Family vacations involved camping and visiting relatives, with a few trips to Hawaii and Disneyland. He and Sis later went several times a year to Nevada.
George leaves his wife of 50 years, Sis; daughters Leanne (Bruce) Broughton and Tana (Mark) Yoon; grandchildren Ryan and Derek Broughton and Macy Yoon; one sister, Vivian Kowal of Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews who meant a great deal to him; he was predeceased by his parents, two older brothers, Vernon and Leonard, and his nephew, Wayne.
Donations may be made in George’s memory to the Palliative Care Association.