Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have the honour of speaking about a great Northerner and a great human being. George Doolittle was born on August 11, 1944, in Edmonton, Alberta, to Jane and George Doolittle Sr. He attended Colorado Springs College for a year and then went to the University of Alberta to pursue engineering. However, George decided to seek adventure after a year of engineering. He travelled to several American and Canadian cities before settling in Inuvik, where he acquired a stationary engineer certificate.
George met Violet in Norman Wells in the fall of 1965. They fell in love and were married on June 10, 1967. He was welcomed by and became part of the vast McDonald family and had three children, Roy, Yvonne and Charlene. George and Violet raised their family in Inuvik, Fort McPherson and Norman Wells.
George has many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren whom he inspired and treasured. George was very proud of his family and all of their accomplishments.
George worked for the NWT Power Corp for many years and then for the Department of Transportation of the GNWT. During this time he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree by correspondence. He then retired, only to become busier than ever. He taught computers, which he himself was self-taught. He was a liquor inspector, an RCMP guard, a coroner and a commissionaire. Education and work ethic were very important to George. He was also not one to shy away from getting involved. He ran for the MLA for Inuvik at one time and was also on town council for many, many years. He really loved all the people that he worked with.
George had a great and unique sense of humour. He often told jokes, sometimes corny, accompanied by an expression, gesture or even a dance. He also enjoyed comics such as Dilbert and especially The Far Side.
If anybody knew George, they knew George enjoyed his coffee and coffeeing with his buddies. In Inuvik he could often be found at the Cafe Gallery, in Yellowknife at the Tim Horton’s.
George had a triple bypass in 1992 and struggled with heart disease later in life. He passed peacefully on May 26, 2015, surrounded by his loving family in Edmonton at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The family was happy to have those last few days together to laugh, to talk, to share, to comfort and to say anything else that needed to be said.
George lived a full and beautiful life. He was many things: a gardener, a carpenter, a techie, a car and motorcycle enthusiast, an endless volunteer, a traveller and an adventurer. But most importantly, he was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, teacher, mentor and friend. George had touched so many people’s lives over the years.
George was a mentor to me when I was first involved in politics, when I had the opportunity to serve with him on the Inuvik town council. He has left a great legacy to his family and will be truly missed by many, but continues to live in all those he touched with his kindness and wisdom.
Today the Doolittle family will lay to rest George Doolittle in the community of Norman Wells. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this great man. Mahsi.
