George Rennie Sinclair
October 15 1925 – October 8 2017
A Very Civil Engineer
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of George Rennie Sinclair of Abbotsford B.C. one week shy of his 92nd birthday.
Dad is the beloved husband of Patricia (Marcotte) and father to Ian (Sue Nemeth) of Montreal, Claudia (Tony Tapsas) of White Rock B.C., Paula (Graham Shannan) of Toronto, George (Cindy Kenyon) of London Ontario and Maureen (Ed Sarfeld) of Mission B.C. He is pre-deceased by a much-loved daughter, Christine Anne (1985).
He was an attentive and loving grandfather to Claire, Ethan & Ryan Sarfeld (B.C.), Geordie (Boston Ma.), Craig Sinclair, (Kelowna B.C.), Nathan, Karryn, Christiana & Olivia (White Rock B.C.), Madeleine & Ghislaine (Montreal Quebec). He was a favourite uncle to many.
George was born in Walkerville Ontario to George & Helen (Nell) Rennie and is predeceased by his sister Elizabeth (Betty) of Montreal and brother Ronald (Kingsville).
He served in both the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII and happily for us did not see active service.
He was the first from his family to attend university and graduated with high honours from Queen’s University in 1950. He was an Athlone Fellow at Imperial College London, and later received his M.Sc from the University of Windsor, while the father of six young children. Dad practiced engineering first with Canadian Bridge in Walkerville for many decades and later with Canron in Rexdale. His twenty years of post-retirement work were as a private consultant and he drew his last paycheque at age 85 for work on Freedom Tower in New York City.
While he could work out the detailed specifications for a steel connection over many pages of meticulously scripted calculations, he also loved opera, classical music, winning at cards, and was a ardent writer of love poems to his future wife of 63 years.
Mom & dad moved to Abbotsford B.C. in 2015 from the wonderful community they helped nourish around Colgan Ontario, where their hearts were firmly imbedded for close to 4o years.
Details about funeral arrangements may be found c/o Henderson Fraser Valley Funeral Homes in Abbotsford B.C. See link
www.dignitymemorial.ca/hendersons-fraser-valley-funeral-home/en-ca/index.page
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday April 28, 2018 at 10:30am in St. Paul’s Church (190 King St. Alliston, ON), with 12pm Interment in St. James Cemetery Colgan, followed by 12:45pm Luncheon and Celebration of Life at Woodington Lakes Golf Club Tottenham, ON.
During their time Mom and Dad gave generously to dozens of charities that sought to protect the environment, the poor and the vulnerable, and to further the arts and culture in the communities where they lived. In lieu of flowers dad would suggest you do something nice for the less fortunate, the planet and for each other.
Mary Lou And Ed Osborne says
Mr. Sinclair was very special man. We remember many family get togethers, camping trips, and Christmas Day afternoons. He was more of an uncle to all of us. He was the most thoughtful, intelligent and cultured man we knew. All of this plus a wonderful sense of humour. Rest In Peace Mr. Sinclair. Hug Chrissy for us.
Bill and Sandy Clark says
Pat & Family, Very sorry to hear of George’s passing. Please accept our sincerest condolences
Anne Nanni (nee Sinclair) says
On behalf of Ron and Winnie Sinclair’s family, Anne, Margo, Jane, Peter and Jennifer want to bid a final “Night Night and God Bless” to a very much loved uncle George, who was a gentleman in every sense of the word and will be dearly and forever missed.
Mary Catherine says
Thinking of the Sinclair family at this difficult time . God Bless
Dee Van Meer says
On October 8 when George passed
I was in Rome Italy. We heard that our second grandson had just been born! Arrivals and departures…..I’ve really enjoyed having George and Pat in my Bones and Balance classes these last two years. I regret not knowing them better. Why is it when you read eulogies you get to know a person in death much better then you knew them in life?! I too will add the words “George will be missed.” I hope to continue to get to know Pat and it’ll be a privelidge to support her.
Chris & Hugh Kremer says
We were so sad to hear of Mr. Simclair’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed all the conversations we had when I would walk by his house with Bailey. Another great Colgan neighbour gone and I’m sure there’s a great reunion going on in Heaven right now with all the other great neighbours we’ve lost here over the past few years. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Hal and Madelyn Rutledge says
To all the Sinclair family
Sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Judith Reeves says
Oh my goodness I am so sad and shocked really. Loved George and Pat every time they were in my class. A sweet and lovely couple. Bones and Balance is heartbroken and so am I. My thoughts are with Pat and family. George was a true gentleman and will be missed.
Mary Lou Maher says
Mr. Rowd was an amazing man and home schooled me through math in high school. George you will be missed.
Andrea Di Giovanni says
Mr. Sinclair will always have such a special place in my heart. Among the many things I remember is how he introduced me to classical music, and we would play “Guess the Composer” in the lower living room on the record player. But above all I will remember him as a person who, no matter what, was always happy to see us kids, and unfailingly expressed interest and joy in what we were up to. God bless you, Mr. Sinclair, you are loved.
Lee & Tim Doyle says
Our hearts are heavy with the news of George’s passing. He was our closest neighbour when we lived across the corner. He provided us with 6 of the BEST babysitters. He was a great friend to all of us Colganites. Rest in peace George. Our sincerest of condolences to all the family
Beatriz Baumfeld says
Dear Pat & Family:
I was so sorry to hear of George’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all the Family, He always will be remembered as a nice, gentle and kind gentleman. May he rest in peace!
Ivor and Ginny Cathcart says
We were so very sorry to hear of George’s passing. He was truly a loving generous man who we enjoyed spending times chatting with very much. Please know that you are all in our hearts and prayers at this time.
Cam Lindsey says
George was a fine gentleman with a twinkle in his eye when he spoke. He will be remembered fondly through his wonderful wife and family.
Kathy Robinson (Colaris) says
Mr. Sinclair was truly one of the best. Sweet and gentle with a quick and genuine smile, he was always the first one to greet and stop for a chat, even after years of not having seen him. It was always a brighter day after a bumping into he and Mrs. Sinclair in town. Thanks for leaving your mark on this earth. You will not be forgotten.