Contributions to the tribute of George Marsland

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Wednesday, December 5, 2018

I just read this December, 2018. George and James were in my grade three class at Forest Hill Public School. It was my first year of teaching. I readily remember the twins. I still have their school photos. They were truly sweet, kind little boys. I am pleased to read that they had wonderful friends and rewarding careers. Their fine personalities continued through life.

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Terry Grey Brand posted a condolence

Thursday, September 13, 2018

George and James were very dear longstanding personal friends. My sincerest condolences to the family.

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Brian Bertrand lit a candle

Friday, May 25, 2018

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Ken Burgess donated to THE TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

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Ken Burgess posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

I heard about George's death as I was contemplating a dent on the drivers door of my car caused from some flying debris. It was the day after the windstorm and it certainly brought to reality how trivial that problem was. I knew George and his brother James quite well in high school. For a couple of years we were quite close and I was a member of a group of guys and girls who hung around together. I spent some time as a guest at their cottage. We spent many a night in deep teen discussions which, as I remember it, centered around girls when it was us guys talking. George was a smart, generous very likable fellow. I can still close my eyes and see that goofy endearing smile of his. Towards the end of high school my best friend Bruce and I were dropped by our friends for reasons I never understood at the time. I figured it out years later and now fully understand. The girls all knew but never enlightened me.Unfortunately I was a young man with a lot of growing up to do. I really do not know where my homophobia came from but it was there and obvious. It was wrong and something I will always regret. I last talked to George after his brother died. I should have apologized at this time but missed the opportunity. Now it is too late. Life gets busy and there always seems to be more time to get around to things. I am sorry buddy for not being supportive when you needed it most. I wish we could have talked after I grew up and learned that love is the important thing. Good bye old friend.

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Dr Anna Theobald posted a condolence

Friday, May 11, 2018

I only today learned of George's passing. I am so very saddened that he was alone. He was my neighbour for many years and we often spoke or stopped to play with his dear little dog Remy. He was so bright and aware butt he did not seem to be himself the last few times I encountered him. May he rest in peace and may his memory always be a blessing. My condolences to his family and friends.

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Vicki Ziegler donated to THE TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY

Thursday, May 10, 2018

George's thoughtfulness and kindness was for all creatures, great and small, bless him.

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Susan Hilton posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

I first met George and James in kindergarten at Forest Hill Public School. We forged an instant friendship that would endure 6 decades. It was challenging to tell George and James apart at first and their dressing in the same clothes just added to everyone’s confusion. It was not long before George’s personality, his joie de vivre, and that infectious laugh set him apart from his twin brother. I was a precocious child and at the age of 5, I started my flirting exploits by pulling off the stocking hats that the boys wore during the colder months, forcing them to chase me to get it back. Soon, other young ladies joined in the game. The twins were very popular. By grade 3, we had a small social network that included the twins, several girls including myself, and another good friend, David Hill. We continued our education at Queensmount Public School. The boys would often meet me and a couple of other neighbour friends in a field near our home which is now highway 7/8 to Stratford. We would play in the forts the neighbourhood b built, find mice and pick dandelions for wine-making by a neighbour – and flirt! Grade 10: During a Friday lunch hour in the library of Forest Heights Collegiate I gathered with some girlfriends (Nancy, Diane, Pam, Heather, Isabel) to discuss our Friday evening plans to go see the movie “Airplane”. I overheard the boys (George, James, David, Ken, Bruce, Jim, and Jeff) next to us discussing their plans to go to the same movie. We decided to car pool together that evening. Little did I know, that evening would be the first of many evenings and weekends that we would all spend together over the next few years. Sometimes we went to movies or events in town, Mother’s Pizza, and there were also many weekend evenings we would just hang out and eat, dance and talk at someone’s home. Graduation from high-school led us all down different paths. George and James pursued Law School at Western University while I stayed in town to entering the nursing profession. One evening, George wrote me a letter, catching me up on his academic pursuits. The letter began with “As I sit here in my room, sipping on chardonnay while listening to Seals and Croft, I am thinking of you. Slowly our bodies intertwine until we become one, aloof to the troubles of the world”. I called him immediately and we laughed. I told him that he could always become a romantic novelist if his other interests did not pan out! That literary attempt gave us both many laughs over the years, even as recently as this year. When Nancy and I attended their 40th birthday party in Toronto, I read it allowed in its entirety and his friends roared with laughter. George and I supported each other through many seminal events in our lives. First, my brother, Scott passed away at the age of 17 from familial obstructive cardiomyopathy. Little did we know at the time, George would also lose his twin brother James due to illness. George was one of the first people I contacted when I heard that I needed a heart transplant. A surprise 40th birthday party with so many friends from the present and the high school years helped lift my spirits while I waited for my transplant. I think George enjoyed the male stripper’s routine as much as I did! He always dropped in for a visit while in town to visit his mother to see how I was coping. His counsel was in part instrumental in helping me to decide to end my marriage to a man that was a narcissist before the stress killed me. i will never forget that at the roughest time of my life George was there for me. November 26, 1998, I received the gift of life from a generous and courageous family. My parents kept George up to date as I waited for transplant and was there to visit me at TGH soon after the transplant. Whenever George and I would chat, I found myself enchanted with his adventures, his business pursuits, the circles he moved in and his travel experiences. I lived vicariously through his stories. But in as much as I envied his fast-paced exciting life, he would scold me for not acknowledging my own accomplishments of completing a BScN and a MScN following my heart transplant. George always has a positive outlook on life, and encouraging words for everyone. He was a kind spirit. I will miss him greatly. I trust George is at peace now and we will meet again beyond this life.

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Cathy Howell donated to THE TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

In memory of a kind soul, George Marsland. Your friend, Cathy Howell

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Cathy Howell lit a candle

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

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Cathy Howell posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Remembering your kindness and enthusiasm, remembering the good times. May your spirit soar and your soul find the peace that it was seeking. Your friend, Cathy Howell

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Richard Smith posted a condolence

Monday, May 7, 2018

George was a decent, kind and generous person. He knew how to light up a room when he entered it and get people talking and having fun. The world is poorer with his loss. Until we meet again, old friend, please rest in peace.

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Susan Hilton uploaded photo(s)

Monday, May 7, 2018

George, Diane, James, Susan At the day of the boy's mother's funeral

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Sharon IOatway lit a candle

Sunday, May 6, 2018

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Margaret Crook posted a condolence

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Such a good, kind, decent man. How incredibly sad that he is gone. My deepest sympathy to his loved ones.

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Jim Mitchell posted a condolence

Friday, May 4, 2018

I lost touch with both of you and today I am greatly saddened to find out that both of you are gone. I missed the loss of James but today George I see you have passed. I tried to connect via Facebook when I saw you on a TV report but was too late. May you rest in peace and hopefully you are reunited with your brother and your parents. I will also make a donation to the Toronto Humane Society directly so they get all the funds with no admin fees being deducted.

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Penny MacVicar (Macklin) posted a condolence

Friday, May 4, 2018

Dear James I was so sorry to read of George's death in the paper today I have so many good memories of you both as small boys with your parents and mine. Know that I am thinking of you today and send you my deepest sympathy You both are so often in my thoughts Sincerely Penny (Macklin) MacVicar

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Simon Thompson donated to THE TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY

Friday, May 4, 2018

George will be missed.

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Nancy Pick uploaded photo(s)

Friday, May 4, 2018

Your smile, heart of gold and good nature will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Dear George Nancy & Philip Pick