Dr. George Irvine Piercy
May 30, 1924 – April 4, 2017
George passed away early Tuesday morning at St. Joseph’s hospital. He was predeceased by his wife Doris in 2010 and daughter Sharon on March 30, 2017. George is survived by his daughter Janyt (Tessera) and son George (Darlene), 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
George grew up on Denman Island with his 2 brothers Wes and Jack and sister Zeta. There was no high school on Denman so his Father built him a one room log cabin to attend Comox high school. After high school he went to Victoria College and took mainly sciences leaning towards becoming a science teacher. The college only offered two years of instruction so he enrolled at UBC with a heavy curriculum of science courses, thinking seriously about medicine. BC did not have a medical school so with his high grade average he was accepted in McGill University where he graduated 6th out of a class of 155 and was awarded the Robert Forsyth prize in surgery. George left Montreal with a medical degree and bride.
After internship at Vancouver General, he practiced medicine in New Westminster for 25 years, then decided to retire in the place he loved the most, Comox. After gardening and fishing for a year he just had to get back into the work he enjoyed so much. George spent the next 15 years with the Comox Medical Clinic. During that time he decided to get involved in local politics, serving on the Comox Council as an Alderman for 5 years and as Mayor for 14 years. George was a member of Kinsman, Rotary and Shriners. Still not enough on his plate, he was the Director of Bevan Lodge Society and Director of Glacier View Lodge.
To quote the last page of his autobiography: I am thankful to have had the life I did. There are great memories about so many events as my life unfolded. But the highlights centre around my family which has meant so much to me and the many, many great friends that I have met over the years in two very different careers. As the young people say “It has been a slice”.
Thanks to the great staff at St. Josephs and Dr. Neufeld.
There will be no service by request.