GEORGE FRANCIS DALEY, lover of life, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, slot machines, playing his harmonica and a spotless car, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2022.
George, the youngest of 6 children, was born August 8, 1934, or August 9th if you ask his mom, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents George and Catherine Daley. He grew up in Parkdale with his siblings Leo, Art, Jimmy, Elizabeth (96) and Marie. Being the youngest child of a large catholic family, George was known to take an entire pie to eat in a closet so he didn’t have to share.
George was a self-starter and industrious man - he worked hard from age 14 at his first job setting up pins in a bowling alley. Next, he started at the loading bay of Bulova watches but quickly moved up the ladder to a travelling salesman for Bulova, Maritime Provinces, his territory. He moved his family of 6 to Vancouver, BC when he became Vice President, Marketing for Jantzen Canada.
George met the love of his life, Theresa Marie Martin in Toronto, at a Holy Family Church social evening where they often enjoyed Sunday night dances and driving in his red & white Ford convertible. After 62 years of marriage, they have four children: Christopher (Joanne), Catherine (Jon), Suzanne, and Andrea (Giuseppe). The kids’ fondest memories of their dad include: his “a little bit of everything” special dinners (aka anything cold in the fridge), sweaty hugs after his long runs, seeing him sun bathe on the deck at their Birch Bay Village cabin, listening to him play the harmonica by the campfire, and stopping at all airports to look at planes when driving anywhere.
George loved spending time with his family and reading passages from his latest history book to anyone that would listen. He and Theresa have great memories of trips around the world (Guadalajara Mexico a favorite city), but their favorite times, lately, were here in Vancouver, enjoying family dinners, visiting the casino, or sitting at Spanish Banks dog beach with Suzanne. Coming from the fashion industry, George was a sharp dresser with a keen sense of style. He loved anything Italian made or quality cashmere, and often put on suit jacket for a special occasion (with a silk pocket square, of course). George was not afraid to try new things including taking up flying in his 40’s, driving rental cars in retirement, and joining the 2010 Paralympic opening show as a hip-hop dancer at age 75. When interviewed by the Vancouver Province, George told them “I’m all waltz and jive, not hip-hop and line dancing.” He did it anyway, and had fun entertaining everyone.
George is survived by his wife Theresa, four children, his sister Elizabeth plus his 9 grandchildren: Peter, Cameron, Megan, Nicole, Alex, Katherine, Angelo, Sabrina and Luca. George, ever the fighter, hoped to beat cancer again this year, as he has all past health challenges, but this one got the best of him despite all the prayers and hard work of the thoracic surgeons at Surrey Memorial Hospital, to whom we are grateful. He has joined Mother Teresa, his favorite saint, to continue his spiritual journey in heaven. If you would like to honour George, as Mother Teresa would say, “spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”.
Funeral was held on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 11:00am, at St. Peter & Paul Parish in Vancouver, BC.