Obituary of George O. Hitchcock

Hitchcock, George O. - The death of George Otis Hitchcock of Saint John, husband of Betty (Field) Hitchcock, occurred on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born on September 16, 1917 at Lake Edward, New Brunswick, he was a son of the late Fred and Hattie Hitchcock. George was a Veteran of World War II, serving overseas with the Carleton-York Regiment, and subsequently worked at the Lantic Sugar Refinery until his retirement. He was an active member of both Portland United Church and the Anglican Parish of Millidgeville, and was also a member of the Portland Men’s Club and the IOOF. George was a well known community volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Saint John, and was the top fundraiser in the Bowl for Kids Campaign for the last twenty years. He was also an annual participant in the Kidney Foundation Bowlathon and other special events, and shared his experiences concerning dialysis with several community groups. In recognition of his tireless volunteering, George was recognized with the Judge Bell Certificate of Excellence for Volunteer Service in 1994; a Certificate of Appreciation from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Canada in 1999; the City of Saint John Award for Volunteerism in the International Year of the Volunteers in 2001; and was chosen as Maritimer of the Week from ATV in August, 2004. In addition to a busy volunteer schedule, George found the time for his love of the outdoors: fishing, hunting, riding his ATV, or just walking in the woods or sitting by a campfire. Besides his wife, George is survived by his daughters Linda Rector (Clifton) of Saint John, Margaret Grant (Allan) of St. George, and Dorothy Bradbury of Bay Roberts, NL; a brother, Len Hitchcock of Arthurette, NB; grandsons Jason (Melissa) of Saint John, Jimmy (Amber) of Edmonton, AB, Scott (Terri) of Brampton, ON, Wesley (Christine) of Brampton, ON, William (Fiona) of Toronto, ON, and Reid (Tara) of Brampton, ON; granddaughters Evelyn of England, Carol (Clem) of Halifax, NS, and Melissa (Richard) of Brampton, ON; several great grandchildren, including Kristina, Rachel, Tiana, Lily, Sydney and Parker; several great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and his furry pal, Gismo. In addition to his parents, George was predeceased by his sons William and George; a grandson, Paul; ten brothers and sisters; and his first wife, Minnie. Resting at Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, with visiting on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 2:00 PM from Portland United Church. Following cremation, a Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:30 PM from St. John Baptist (Mission) Church, Millidgeville. A Tribute to a Veteran Service will be held on Friday at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. For those who wish, remembrances to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Saint John, or any charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.