Redcliff lost a hero on April 1.
George Hope, who was born in 1925, was the last surviving veteran of World War Two who was an active member of the Redcliff Legion.
“He was [a] very humble, caring type person. You could sit down with him and you could talk about whatever,” said Dennis Rathwell, a legion comrade to George Hope.
As a kid, Rathwell saw Hope as a larger-than-life hero.
“I actually knew George when I was a young boy, maybe around ten years old…everybody here in this town knew George and knew his family,” Rathwell said.
Hope fought in the second world war, as a grounds crew member in the Air Force at 17 years old.
At 18 years old, he became a paratrooper and later joined the infantry until the end of the war.
Hope spent time serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment and was a part of the liberating forces in Holland.
After the war, Hope moved back to Redcliff and married his wife Ruth. Eventually, Hope made his dream of owning a ranch reality by buying some land north of Redcliff.
While Hope had his ranch to tend to and a full-time job, he still found time to give back to Redcliff and the Redcliff Legion.
Hope holds the record for the youngest, oldest and longest serving president in the Canadian Legion nationally.
His great efforts in the community, and his selflessness, made his passing extremely difficult on the community.
“It was awfully hard to deal with. Not just me, all our legionnaires and people who knew him. Awfully hard,” Rathwell said.
Rathwell says George’s influence can be seen everywhere in Redcliff, from community recreation centers, to the Avenue of Trees monument.
When Hope wasn’t chairing an initiative or volunteering his time, he always made time for friends.
“He was a man of a lot of knowledge,” explained Rathwell.
“With all the legionnaires that walked through our doors, he was most likely more respected than anybody else.”
Hope is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by three siblings and one grandson.
Rathwell wants Hope to be remembered for how much he loved the town of Redcliff.
“I don’t think we’ll ever forget George. Never. No, he will always be there with us. He’ll be here,” said Rathwell, pointing to his heart.
