He is absent from the body, present with the Lord.
It is with profound sadness that the family of George Armstrong Stephenson announces his passing on January 16, 2023, in his 83rd year. George passed away peacefully at the Gorge Road Hospital, Victoria, BC. The family is thankful for the loving care provided by the nurses and care aides at the Gorge Road Hospital.
George will be deeply missed by the love of his life, Effie Jean (Fishback) of 58 years.
Loving and cherished father of Bob (Amy), Bill (Charlene) and Lisa (Andrew Peebles). He was a much loved “Grandpa” and will be deeply missed by his five granddaughters Maiya, Nicole, and Kaitlyn Stephenson of Langley, BC and Amelia and Elyse Stephenson of St. Catharines, Ontario.
He will be missed by his sister Barbara Farrar and family of Welland, Ontario, sisters-in-law Dorothy Fishback, Ruby Keller (Ron), Margaret Powers (Paul) and brother-in-laws Jim Fishback (Carolyn), Harvey Fishback (Cindy), and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
George was born in Toronto, Ontario to the late George and Rubina Stephenson. He is pre-deceased by his sister Carol Stecher of Windsor, Ontario, brother-in-law William Fishback and in-laws Clarence and Edith Fishback of Tillsonburg, Ontario.
George began his banking career in Windsor, Ontario and later transferred to Toronto and then St. Catharines as a Bank Manager.
In 1986 George and Effie and three children left for Belem, Brazil with UFM/Crossworld to serve at the Amazon Valley Academy. In Brazil George took on a role as financial administrator for eight years.
In 1994 George and Effie returned to Langley, BC where George served UFM/Crossworld for the remainder of his working years. During this part of George’s career, he took on a role of recruiting others to become missionaries with UFM/Crossworld.
George and Effie moved to Victoria in 2009 where George was active as a member in The Gideons International as well as a faithful member of Central Baptist Church.
George will be greatly missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 28th, at 2:00pm at Central Baptist Church – 833 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Crossworld Canada via their website: https://crossworld.ca/give
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Eric & Gloria Kublick
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Mariana and Ali Shivaie We are deeply moved by the loss of our dearest gentleman and friend,
Mr.George. We have sweet memories of both of you catering for us around Christmas time and other times when we got together. We love you dearly George Stephenson.
May The Lord bless your family and in particularly we pray for Effie to find peace in these difficult times.
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Bryan and Elizabeth Peebles Our sincere sympathy to all of the Stephenson family. George was the father-in-law to our son, Andrew, who was warmly welcomed into the Stephenson family 23 years ago. We’ll always remember George’s kindness, desire to get to know people and make a point of drawing out the quieter ones. He was a great story teller and loved to hear your story and thoughts. Best of all, we’ll see George again, because we know who he’s with. We know Effie and Lisa will especially miss their husband and dad.
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Lawson Family Our deepest sympathies on the passing of George. The Lawson family send their love and many fond memories from our life long friendship with Effie and George, family.
Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
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Gail and Don Rodger Our deepest sympathy. Praying the family finds peace during this shadowed time of grief. John O’Donohue writes “May you know that absence is alive with hidden presence, that nothing is ever lost or forgotten.” George may now be absent on this earth but his legacy of love lives on in his children and family and their memories and stories.
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Larry & Vicki Sharp My husband and I met George and Effie when they arrived in Brazil in 1986. It was quite incredible to see a family with teenagers arriving to our community for the first time! That is no easy feat to make such a transition at that stage of raising a family – and to try to learn a new language at the same time! We were very impressed that the family was so positive and so eager to join us in the ministries. They became good friends and we’ve kept in touch over the years though our paths haven’t crossed as often as we would have liked! It was and has always been a complete delight to be with George and Effie. Their hospitality, smiles, jokes, and love are infectious! We will pray for Effie and the families in their sad loss yet rejoicing that we’ll meet again!
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Lorna MacPhail Dear Bob and family
By all accounts, your father was a wonderful man. I enjoyed hearing stories about him. Thinking of you, your mother and siblings at this difficult time.
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Mel & Romilda. Cuthbert Dear Effie: Memories go back many years. l remember the times in your home. Our deepest sympathy on your loss. May the Lord be your comfort knowing where he is and someday we will meet him again. Praying for you. Much love, Mel & Romilda Cuthbert
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Barbie Farrar Thinking of you Effie at this difficult time. George was loved by all who knew him. Bridget sends her love and remembers our visit with you and how Uncle George had every day planned to make our stay so special! Sending my love to Bob, Bill and Lisa.
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Christine Gilson So sorry to hear of George’s death. My sympathy to Effie, Bob, Lisa, and Bill and the whole family.
May you be comforted knowing that George is finally home.
Love Christine and Ron Gilson
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Gloria and Uldis Broks We have known George for the past 58 years. I taught with his wife Effie in the 60’s and we became fast friends. My husband and I have visited and travelled with George annd Effie over the years. We have watched his children and grandchildren grow up as if they had been our family.
We will miss George very much. His humour, kindness and concern for others made him special. He so loved his family and was so proud of them. His love of the Lord and a Christian lifestyle made him a fine example to others. Our deepest sympathy to Effie and the family.
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Shirley Mcdonald Sorry for your loss, God bless, love shirley
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Ivan D De Silva Psalm 127:4-5
“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their
opponents in court.”I only met George Stephenson once, briefly. But I have known his son, Bob, for a couple of decades. And based on Bob’s character, I am assured that George must have been an extraordinary spiritual champion himself for God to bless him with a son who is also a warrior for the kingdom of God.
Rest in peace George, your good memory lives on in the generations you have left behind.
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Janice, Soukri and Emma Your father sounds like a lovely, conscientious man whom you all must have been very proud of. Many condolences to your Mom and to all the kids and grandkids on your loss. Our family’s thoughts and prayers are certainly with you.
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Dan Rieb So sorry for your loss. May the family find comfort knowing George is with his Maker.
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David Strauss I so appreciated George’s wonderful and often mischievious sense of humour as well as his deep love for his family and for the Lord. Blessings of peace and comfort on you Effie and family.
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Cindy Fuailefau I am so sorry for the loss of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. He is free from the pain and reunited with family who left before. Love to all
Dear Effie:
Thank you for letting us know that George is with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and at peace now. God will be with you as you mourn this great loss in your life.
It would be great to be present at the celebration of his life so we are hoping the service will be streamed from the church.
Blessings & love to all,
Eric & Gloria