Obituary of George Ross Robertson
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Actor, Writer, Painter, Humanitarian
George bid this world goodbye, surrounded by his loving family on January 29, 2023, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
He leaves a legacy of many accomplishments – a splendid career in stage, films, and TV with over 80 roles on both the big and small screen, most notably the original and six sequels of Police Academy. He began his career on the stage and worked successfully in the industry for the next 60 plus years. He was honoured to win the 1993 Margaret Collier Award, awarded by the CBC, as best Canadian Writer for his outstanding body of work on film or tv and the 19th Annual Gemini Award – Humanitarian of the Year in 2004, given in honour of “Mr. Robertson’s extraordinary compassion and community involvement (that has had) an enormous impact on the lives of children in Canada and around the world.”
An extraordinary athlete in both hockey and football, his awards began with the Allan Hall Memorial Trophy awarded in 1952 by West Hill High School, “presented each year to the athlete who sets a high standard in clean sportsmanship and who, through precept and example inspires his teammates to greater achievement”.
His most important goals were achieved by helping others. He walked the entire length of southwest France, a distance of 529 kilometres, to raise money for an orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. As Police Chief Hurst, George travelled across Canada speaking to youth in high schools as a UNICEF ambassador, receiving the Danny Kaye UNICEF Canada award in 1990, for outstanding contribution.
His later life was also devoted to painting and writing.
George was born in Brampton, Ontario on April 20, 1933, to Mayme Kidd Robertson and Stewart Harold Robertson. He was educated in New York City, earning an MBA in 1959 at Columbia University where he met his wife Adele
George leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Adele; daughter, Sarah Robertson (Steve Pulver); Ellen Robertson (Mitch Aidelman), grandchildren Julia and William; step-grandchildren, Ariel, Gabe, Maddie and Josh, as well as many dear nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sweatt.
George’s humanitarian work touched many charities. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Youth Without Shelter (YWS www.yws.on.ca/donate) or Unicef Canada (unicef.ca). The family appreciates the excellent care provided by the Sunnybrook team. There will be a memorial in late March. For details, please email grrreception@yahoo.com. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2022 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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