George Holder passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5 2014.
George was born in Montreal, and moved to Ontario, when he was 10 years old. He lived in Aultsville, until he married Patricia in 1956, and together they lived at Farran’s Point. They were married 57 years.
As a young man, George operated the snack bar at the Farran’s Point Pavilion above the Farran’s Point Locks. He later worked on the Great Lake ship, “The Mondoc”. Following that, George worked for the Department of Highways He was also employed by the Department of Transport as a Lockman on the Farran’s Point Lock.
During the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway, George and Patricia’s home was moved from Farran’s Point to Ingleside, where they lived for a few years. In 1958, they moved to Bowmanville where they were in the chicken/egg business.
Their son, Shawn was born in Bowmanville and baptized in the Anglican Church where George was a member. Their daughter Coleen and son Kent were born in Winchester.
After a few years in Bowmanville, George and Patricia moved to Iroquois, where they continued their poultry business. Eventually George found employment at Caldwell Linen Mills. While working at Caldwell’s, George was President of the United Mine Workers and then President of the United Textile Workers.
In his youth, George played minor hockey for Morrisburg. He was affiliated with the Aultsville Jets softball team. He later coached the Iroquois Women’s and Men’s softball teams.
George was an excellent swimmer, and he enjoyed swimming at the Aultsville Dock.
After George had his leg amputated, Patricia encouraged him to lace up the skates, and he was still able to go skating and do forward crosscuts. The entire family went public skating at the Morrisburg arena. Patricia also taught George to jitter bug with an artificial leg.
George was an avid sports fan, and he loved the Montreal Canadiens, the Expos and the Alouettes. The entire Holder family went to a few Grey Cup games, one in Montreal and one in Ottawa and had a great time. Attending baseball games at the Olympic stadium and watching the Canadiens play at the Montreal forum while we were on the catwalk, were memorable times that we all think about to this day.
George was a wonderful family man, and he travelled with the family on numerous trips to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to the car shows. He also went down south with the family looking for classic cars.
George loved to sing, and he sang in the Aultsville Anglican church choir for a number of years with his mother, aunt and cousin. He also loved animals, especially dogs, and enjoyed watching, through the window, the birds at the bird feeder.
We will all miss George and his easy-going personality. He was a genuine person and a friend to many.
George is survived by his wife Patricia, his children, Shawn (Heather) of Ingleside, Coleen and Kent of Iroquois.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Wednesday, January 8th from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday, January 9th, from 1 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. The service was conducted by Reverend Janet Evans. Robert Thompson sang eloquently. Spring interment will be at the Iroquois Point cemetery.
Donations to Iroquois United Church or the South Dundas Animal Shelter would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
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