Obituary of George Welsman

George Welsman, 1920 - 2008 George Grasett Welsman died Sunday, February 10, 2008, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, with his family at his side, listening to his favourite music. He will be deeply missed by his wife Margo, children John (Cherie), Paul (Sandra), Carol (Pat), and Michael, and grandchildren Amy, Sophie, James and Andrew. George will be remembered by those who knew him as a true gentleman, who appreciated life and lived it with discipline, zest and integrity. To his children and grandchildren, he was a cherished mentor, who always tempered his insights and advice with humour. Born in Toronto in 1920, George was the youngest and last surviving child of Frank Squire and Helen Grasett Welsman. He inherited a passionate interest in music from his father, the founding conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. George graduated from Trinity College at the University of Toronto with a degree in commerce and finance. He became a proud veteran of the Second World War after serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy, stationed in Halifax. After the war, he started his own business, Welsman Housewares Ltd., which he ran successfully for 29 years before retiring in 1985. In retirement, George divided his time between Marco Island, Florida, and his beloved cottage on Lake Joseph in Muskoka. As a third-generation cottager there, George was a passionate environmentalist who cared deeply about preserving the natural beauty of Muskoka. He was an avid tennis player, swimmer and windsurfer, who remained active in these pursuits well into his eighties. He also belonged to the B&R Club of Toronto, where he was a regular at the men's bridge table until the week of his death. George loved to read and was keenly interested in politics and economics. His primary passion, however, was music. As a saxophone player, pianist and singer, with an extensive jazz repertoire, he found his greatest pleasure in sharing and playing music with his family. Visiting will be Tuesday, February 12, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Ave. (south of Eglinton Ave. East). A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 2 p.m. at OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH, 78 Clifton Road, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations to the David Suzuki Foundation or the Toronto Symphony Orchestra would be appreciated by the family. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com