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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
WELSMAN, George Grasett - died Sunday, February 10, 2008, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, with his family at his side, listening to his favourite music. He will be deeply missed by his wife Margo, children John (Cherie), Paul (Sandra), Carol (Pat), and Michael, and grandchildren Amy, Sophie, James and Andrew. George will be remembered by those who knew him as a true gentleman, who appreciated life and lived it with discipline, zest and integrity. To his children and grandchildren, he was a cherished mentor, who always tempered his insights and advice with humour. Born in Toronto in 1920, George was the youngest and last surviving child of Frank Squire and Helen Grasett Welsman. He inherited a passionate interest in music from his father, the founding conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. George graduated from Trinity College at the University of Toronto with a degree in commerce and finance. He became a proud veteran of the Second World War after serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy, stationed in Halifax. After the war, he started his own business, Welsman Housewares Ltd., which he ran successfully for 29 years before retiring in 1985. In retirement, George divided his time between Marco Island, Florida, and his beloved cottage on Lake Joseph in Muskoka. As a third-generation cottager there, George was a passionate environmentalist who cared deeply about preserving the natural beauty of Muskoka. He was an avid tennis player, swimmer and windsurfer, who remained active in these pursuits well into his eighties. He also belonged to the B&R Club of Toronto, where he was a regular at the men's bridge table until the week of his death. George loved to read and was keenly interested in politics and economics. His primary passion, however, was music. As a saxophone player, pianist and singer, with an extensive jazz repertoire, he found his greatest pleasure in sharing and playing music with his family. Visiting will be Tuesday, February 12, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. at the Humphrey Funeral Home - A.W. Miles Chapel, 1403 Bayview Ave. (south of Eglinton Ave. East). A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 78 Clifton Road, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations to the David Suzuki Foundation or the Toronto Symphony Orchestra would be appreciated by the family.
Ships served in: TORONTO DIVISION RCNVR - Listed as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Apr 1942) HMCS KINGS - Appointed to KINGS 25 Jun 1942 as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Sep 1942) HMCS STADACONA - Appointed to STADACONA for Staff of Captain (D) 14 Jan 1943 as a A/Lt, RCNVR (Navy List May 1944) HMCS LA HULLOISE - Appointed to LA HULLOISE 01 May 1944 as an A/Lt, RCNVR (seniority 08 Jun 1942) (Navy List Jul 1944). Commissioning crew for LA HULLOISE 20 May 1944 * Appointed Lt, RCNVR (seniority 08 Jun 1943) (Navy List Mar 1945) * No further entries found in the Navy List after Mar 1945
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