In Celebration of

George Jardine

January 11, 1939 -  October 1, 2022

Passed away peacefully at the age of 83, at Humber Heights Retirement Home while listening to his favourite jazz music. He was born to Hilda and Samuel Jardine on January 11, 1939, in Toronto, Ontario. He had an older sister Edith (2009) and younger brother Al (Kathy). Predeceased by his high-school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Margaret Jardine (2020), George leaves behind his daughters, Chris Sanders (Moe) and Louise Jardine (Kamal); his granddaughter Jennifer Harris-Lowe; and his great-grandson Vichea.
While the list of family is short, George had a long list of friends he kept in contact with over the years. Many relationships dating back to kindergarten at Pauline PS and Bloor Collegiate CI where he was a star quarterback leading his team to a TSSAA Bantam Champions in 1953. He also made life-long friends from his time as a Scout and Rover and many memories being at the Rover camp in Penetang.
He began working in a men’s clothing store selling suits. He then moved to a 45-year working career of a creative systems designer and manager who quickly progressed from clerk to senior management in large corporations and then to a freelancing management consultant. A natural planner and collaborator, he pioneered in the development of modular computer programming techniques and comprehensive computer applications that supported operational systems and management decision-making. He worked for Lipton’s, Lever Brothers and the Ontario Government.
George liked people and, as many will attest to – he loved to talk! And he could, and would, talk about anything with anyone at any time. He was interested in everything and if he wanted to know more he would ask. George was also a man of eclectic interests. These ranged over the years from having a basement full of tanks of tropical fish, to making his own violin, to writing and publishing two autobiographical books (Becoming Me – As I Think It Happened (2008) and My Working Life Tales (2013). He was even an
extra in 2 movies as a violin player (Death to Smoochy and Eloise at the Plaza)!
A life-long member of the Toronto Musicians Association, Music was particularly important to George. He was a drummer, violinist, and singer, and played in many different bands and orchestras, including 20 years with the York Symphony. He was a member of the Beaver Bible Class and played the drums in the long running Beaver Show. In his later years, he spent a good deal of time, effort, and personal expense, mentoring and promoting musicians. George said he got joy from seeing people he had helped over the years succeed. He organized concerts at Kingsway-Lambton Church and Windermere United Church that were enjoyed by many. In the last few years, he performed noon concerts where he sang, told stories, and read poetry.
In a summation of his life, George said in his first book: With the help of parents, siblings, family, and friends – and through the Grace of God and good fortune – I’ve enjoyed what most people would call, a "charmed existence".
Chris and Louise want to sincerely thank Humber Heights Retirement Home staff for the care and attention they gave their Dad over the past 4 months. Knowing he was being well looked after helped ease the worry of being far away. In addition, Chris would also like to thank Carrie, the Community Care Coordinator, for being such a good listener, and for her support in accessing community resources.
As per George’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Guestbook 

(5 of 37)


Norma Dolbear (Friend)

Entered October 2, 2022 from Appin

Deepest sympathy to all concerne. Prayers are with you all

Lynda Ryder (Friend)

Entered October 3, 2022 from Toronto, Ontario

George and I worked together on the Beaver Bible Show. He was the calming, influence for us. He came up with great ideas and innovative ways to present a song. I was singing a Rankin number that featured the drums and he developed a tricky sequence that added great to the number. He was always a gentle person and an amazing musician. I also had an opportunity to visit his home to practice with his wonderful grand piano. He had a talent that will be truly missed.
Lynda Ryder- Music Director, Beaver Bible Class and friend.

Joanne Longo (Friends from Bloor Collegiate)

Entered October 4, 2022 from Toronto

George was a wonderful gentleman - kind, gentle, and interested in everyone. He will be
very much missed.
Condolences and prayers to his special family.

Nancy Platt (Good friend to Chris)

Entered October 4, 2022 from London, ON

What a lovely tribute you and your sister wrote, Chris. I learned he was quite a remarkable man, and did have a charmed life. He had to be, though, because you too love meeting people and a great conversationalist too.
Rod and I are sorry for your loss. Losing first your Mom and now your Dad changes one, a little, doesn’t it.
May he RIP.

Mary & Michael Noble (Sister and Brother in-law to Al Jardine)

Entered October 4, 2022 from Fergus

Our condolences to Georges family.

Life Stories 

(5 of 10)


Louise Jardine (Daughter)

Entered October 3, 2022

Chauffeur
There were a couple of years where Dad drove 3 generations to school in the mornings. Mom as a teacher, Jennifer as a student (in her Nana's class) and myself, as an education assistant. Dad, with Mom on board, would pick up Jennifer and I from Russett Ave and drive us all to Ossington/Old Orchard PS. Dad then bought a hair dryer for his car that plugged into the cigarette lighter because I always came out of the house with wet hair. I would the dry my hair as he drove us all to OOOPS.

Louise Jardine (Daughter)

Entered October 3, 2022

Schemer
Dad loved to plan crazy ideas. His niece, Cat was living and getting married in British Columbia. His sister and Mom of the bride, Edith was living in Ontario. He convinced and paid for Cat to fly to Toronto to celebrate her Mom's "birthday". Meanwhile he invited Edith and guests to a wedding shower in honour of Cat and told them he would send all of the gifts out to BC by mail. Imagine everyone's surprise when Cat walked through the front door (holding a birthday present for her Mom!) It was a double ploy!

Louise Jardine (Daughter)

Entered October 4, 2022

Working Life
Luckily, Dad wrote a book, "My Working-Life Tales" so we could find lots of information about his varied working life! The back of the book cover says, "My 45 year working-life began in early June 1959 - one year after graduating from Bloor Collegiate Institute in Toronto - three weeks before marrying my High School sweetheart, Margaret Wills - and one day after my mother exclaimed: 'You're getting married on the 27th, don't you think you should have a job?'
In his book he writes his working life in chronological order: Norwich Union Insurance, Lever Brothers, Thomas J. Lipton, Self-employment, Ontario Ministry of Community & Social Services, and Self-employment. All mostly in Mangement Consulting.
He also wrote, "Satisfaction! ...Enjoyment! ...Fulfillment!... the exquisite rewards I've been blessed with for 'helping people help themselves'.

Chris Sanders (Daughter)

Entered October 4, 2022

Dad's 1st autobiographical book Becoming Me was dedicated to Family - Friends and the Curious. From the back cover: Readers Beware! Snippets from my personal past have been used at various times during my life as oral anecdotes to illustrate discussion points, show off my memory, inspire others, polish my public image, or connect with others. And I confess that sometimes I launch a story to help gauge sincerity of someone who seems interested ...sometimes drawing it out a bit to impishly impose a prosaic penalty of prolonged punishment on a listener showing insincerity. Oh my! Eyes are such good indicators! What motivated me to write this book? That's an unknown! Perhaps to preserve my 'stories' before they're lost in the haze of future 'senior moments'? Perhaps to help myself and others better understand me? An inspiration? Vanity? Or perhaps ...?

Louise Jardine (Daughter)

Entered October 4, 2022

York Symphony Orchestra
Dad, Chris and I all played in the York Symphony. Chris played cello and Dad and I were stand partners playing violin. Dad suggested I sit in the inside chair and that meant I would have to turn pages. His reasoning was that I was more likely to know where we were. This did give him the more prominent outside seat though.
Dad played for 17 1/2 seasons and drove the "Etobicoke Express" transporting players to rehearsals and concerts and for the last few years transported tympani between concert locations and rehearsal facility. (If you remember, he was driving the big black van with the zebra interior).
He served ten terms on the Board of Directors of the YSO Inc., and nine in Executive positions including 2 terms as President. He provided leadership for the formation of the York Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Photos 

(5 of 226)