George White Bowes, 101, of Oakville Ontario, passed away on February 15, 2023 after recent declining health. A kind and loving spouse, father, grandfather, great grandfather, good sport, dedicated employee, and a faithful friend, George will be missed and remembered.

George was born on July 6th, 1921 to John and Stella Bowes in St. Boniface, Manitoba. After graduating from Angus School of Business, George began his lengthy career with Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada) as a clerk typist in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

George enlisted with The Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940, and served as a Flight Lieutenant, Wireless Air Gunner, flying Wellington bomber anti-submarine missions in Atlantic Canada, the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. In 1944, after suffering burns in an air crash in Algeria, George recuperated in England and was shipped back to Canada where he served out the remainder of the war. He proudly wore his medals at Remembrance Day services, as recently as 2022.

On discharge from the RCAF, George returned to Trans Canada Airlines in Winnipeg, Calgary, Lethbridge and finally Montreal (Dorval), where he became a Flight Dispatcher, and he closed his career as an Air Canada Senior System Operations Control Manager, retiring after 43 years of service in 1983.

In 1939 George met Kathleen Irene Cox, and after two and a half years of wartime separation, they wed in 1944, going on to have three children, Barry, John and Laurie, three grand children, Melanie, Christopher and Michael, and two great-grand children, Jonah and Layla. They were happily married for over 78 years.

George was active in many community and social activities before and after retirement. An avid curler, he served as president of the Lachine Men's Curling Club, and was a founding/building executive of the Dixie Community Swimming Pool Club in Lachine Quebec. After retirement in Oakville Ontario, he was an active member of the Oakville Curling and Lawn Bowling Clubs, was a volunteer with The Oakville Trafalgar Hospital Lifeline program, and he organized an Oakville senior's bridge club.

During their retirement years, George and Kathleen became very involved with their three grandchildren, Melanie, Christopher and Michael, taking them on many trips, outings and creating numerous memorable family occasions. Well into his late 90s, George loved every opportunity to golf, especially with his son and grandchildren.

George was predeceased by his son John, daughter Laurie, and brother Arthur. He is survived by his spouse Kathleen, son Barry, daughter-in-law Marie-Andree, granddaughter Melanie, and grandsons Christopher and Michael.

Thank you to all whose kind efforts made George's final days easier, particularly at Queens Avenue Retirement Residence and at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. The family will gather for a remembrance, in the coming weeks.