George Thacker

George Thacker of Bow Island, passed away peacefully at the Bow Island Health Centre on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at the age of 99 years.  He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Florence Thacker (nee Heck);  six children, Lynn (Ute), Jan (Meryl) Goodfellow, Jim (Dalyce), Dale (Natalie), Diane (Tim) Main and Richard as well as two sisters, Ivy Corns and Clara Fraser.  Over the years, George and Florence became the proud grandparents of 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. In 1919, George’s parents, Herb and Clara Thacker, immigrated to the Bow Island area from Staffordshire, England. They arrived with his older brothers, Joe and Herb. George was their first child born in Canada in 1920, followed by sisters, Ivy, Elsie and Clara. Coming from a coal-mining background, the entire family embraced farming as their new way of life. George and Florence grew their dry land farming operation substantially before irrigation moved into their area.  Resisting the flood irrigation methods of the day, George, Joe, Herb and the Campbell brothers of Burdett introduced pivot irrigation into Western Canada in the early 1960’s.  George loved to acquire knowledge and was an avid reader. He had an amazing memory and was a true historian regarding matters in the Bow Island area, as well as many other  topics. George was a critical thinker and a problem solver with the ability to look ‘outside of the box’.  His sons would often seek his opinion on important farming matters right up to the end. His input was always well thought out and valued.  George contributed to public life in his community. In the 1950’s, he helped organize and build the Bow Island hockey arena and curling rink which are still in use today. A few decades later, he was instrumental in upgrading the local golf course to grass greens and irrigated fairways. He served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce as well as taking a run at the candidacy for the Federal Conservative Party in the 1970’s. It was probably fortunate that he narrowly lost, for the glacial pace in Ottawa would have frustrated his “let’s get it done” attitude.  In his retirement years, George amazed us by producing some unusually large artistic ‘monuments’ that still stand today. He even built a time capsule commemorating the NWMP trek west, with help from local school children, intended to be opened in 2074.  George enjoyed travelling in the latter half of his life, both with Florence and on his own. They travelled to Russia and Europe together for the ‘72 hockey series. They travelled extensively in North America and he later toured South America and Australia on his own. George and Florence spent 17 winters living in Arizona, which George credited to better health for them both.  In his final years, he spent time in the Bow Island Lodge and Long Term Care where he was treated with dignity and respect.  A celebration of George’s life will be held in the Burdett Community Hall, on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.  A light luncheon will follow the ceremony. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be directed to either the Pleasant View Lodge c/o Auxiliary Comfort Fund, P.O. Bag 6700, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0 or the Bow Island & District Health Foundation c/o Long Term Care, Bow Island Health Centre, P.O. Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com)  Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta  T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455.