We Remember
MESSIER, George
July 14, 1930 — August 14, 2020
The family of George Messier regrets to announce his passing on August 14, 2020. George is survived by his son David (Cheryl) Messier; daughter Rosemarie (Leonard) Arcand; foster daughter Patricia Messier; grandchildren Tamara Messier, Steven (Danielle) Arcand, and Marisa (Rylan) Hayward; great-grandchildren Laiken Hayward, Oaklyn Hayward, and Adeline Arcand. He is also survived by his sisters Yvette (Morley) Pankoski, MaryAnne (Maurice) Cardinal, and Cecile (Pierre) Brisson; brother Guy (Linda) Messier; brother-in-law Charlie Dumontier; and numerous nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by Wife Agnes Messier (Reineke) and Wife Rita Messier (Leuken); brothers-in–law Bernard Strome, Alvin Reineke, Joesph Reineke, and Morley Pankoski; and sisters–in-law Gertrude Dumontier (Reineke), Rita Strome (Reineke), and Sr. Anne Reineke; George was also predeceased by his parents Juliette and Genan Messier.
George was born in Melville, Saskatchewan on July 14, 1930. In Melville, he grew up with his brothers and sisters attending Catholic school. After graduation, he worked at a hometown shop – Walter’s Garage – as a mechanic before moving to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where he continued to work as a journeyman mechanic at the Firestone garage for the next 25 years. Following his employment with Firestone, George worked with Co-op as the Garage Service Manager until retirement.
George married Agnes Reineke on August 23, 1955 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. While living in Prince Albert, they adopted 2 children – David & Rosemarie and fostered Patty. In 1983, following retirement, George and Agnes moved to Kelowna, BC where they resided for the remainder of their days.
George enjoyed camping and outdoor activities. He was an avid gardener during his retirement years and his yard exemplified this well. Together, George and Agnes enjoyed travel both throughout Canada and internationally. He enjoyed visiting family and friends both inside and out of Kelowna, with frequent returns to the prairies to visit both close and extended family. George was a reminiscing man, always with a story or memory to tell, teasing and banter to be played out, as well as laughs and good times to be had. He was a very proud member of the local Knights of Columbus organization, as well as a devoted Catholic who volunteered in different capacities with the church, with a fondness for choir. He was a prominent member of the church choir, being highly involved in numerous church and community concerts and performances. Following the passing of Agnes (March 7, 2000), George married Rita Leuken in 2002.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
THIS SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED/BROADCAST ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 AT 10:00 AM.
Our thoughts and prayers to David, Rosemarie and Patty during this difficult time. Uncle George will always be remembered.
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle George. I will always remember that twinkle in his eye as he thought of something to tease you about. My Sincere Condolences to the family Yvonne
Sorry to learn of George’s passing. Condolences to all his family members ,
Our heartfelt condolences to the family. We remember his humor and teasing. The world is a sadder place without him.
Our sympathies to Rose and Leonard, David, and Cheryl ,Patty and your families. Uncle George will be remembered for his sense of humour, story telling,, singing voice, and deep faith in Christ. Find peace in your memories. Love , Annette and Abe
Our sincere condolences! Sending love, prayers, faith and strength. Beautiful graveside service!
Not long before George’s passing, I’d thought of him and wondered if he was still with us. I’m relieved to hear that his passing was quick, and that he was still himself at the time of his passing. My memories of him are of an elderly man, one that was always capable, friendly, kind, and involved in his community. I’m so glad he got to live such a long and full life, and I hope that his last years were happy ones.
I don’t think I have a single picture of the house where he and Agnes lived in Kelowna, but it’s engraved in my memory, as my family and I would visit often when I was a child. I loved to see their pets, Tori (that strangely colored little dog who was going blind and deaf, but was a sweet little thing), Cleo (I’ll never forget that beautiful one-eyed Siamese), Boots (I remember I got to pet him once! And then he smacked me. He always had his perch on top of the fridge.), Scruffy (I remember him a bit less fondly, but I remember his little doghouse near the path alongside the house, with the heart-drop shaped flowers), and I think it was Mandy? (A sweet, fluffy kitty who met an unfortunate end.) I remember their sunroom, I remember the time either my sister or I broke the screen door when we stumbled into it, I remember the small stone fountain, I remember how steep the path was with its little wooden steps, I remember the beautiful garden and the grassy slope that we’d roll down, I remember trees, I think. I remember the den next to the sunroom, where we watched hockey and where I formed a false memory that confuses me to this day, about whether my mom’s birthday was on the 2nd or 3rd of December. I remember the kitchen, remember the curious shop room attached to it. And then the mysterious upstairs floor where we rarely went. I feel like there may have been a pet bird up there? I hope it’s not too odd to read my reminiscences, but Agnes and George were like surrogate grandparents closer to home, and I just remember it being such a peaceful place, with such good and kind people living there.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss, David, Rosemarie, Patricia, and everyone else who was close to him. He was a wonderful person, and I feel very fortunate to have known him, and to have such warm memories of him, Agnes, and the home and furry family they lived with.
Our condolences to Rose and Leonard and family.,David, Cheryl and family and Patty. Also sending this to George’s brother and and sisters and spouses. George had a wonderful smile and a great sense of humour. If Agnes and I were teasing him and he wanted to change the subject then he would sit quietly and think of another subject and just start talking about whatever came to mind. He wouldn’t let it show that we had been teasing him
Our Condolences. It is so unfortunate that we could not be there. May our prayers be with you.
I love u grandpa son of patricia messier