Tribute

George was born in Stone, Saskatchewan, the fourth child in a family of five children. As his help was needed on the farm, George only received a Grade 8 education, however learning new trades and skills remained important to him throughout his life. His favourite Prairie memory was about his dad buying him a horse, “Croppy”, a former race horse whose ears had succumbed to frostbite.
In 1946 the family moved to Chilliwack where they operated a berry and dairy farm. George helped his family financially by working in the hop yards and then for Reid’s Construction where he learned concrete finishing skills. He also attended Bible School for three terms where he noticed and set his heart on Dorothy Kropp. On May 19th, 1955, George and Dorothy were married and then moved to Burns Lake, B.C.. Their friends, Elmer and Ruth Dick, were pastoring a new church and encouraged the newly married couple to come and help. George had jobs in the sawmill for a few years, then changed to working at Ferdie’s Building Supplies, followed by Macleods Hardware Store. George always looked for 9-5 jobs that would leave him available to be at church for evening activities, even though he would have made more money in a sawmill or mine. While working, he also honed other passions such as finishing cement floors (the best finisher in Burns Lake!), raising chickens and sheep, learning dynamite skills, and developing his own locksmith business, “George’s Locks”.
Four lovely children were born to George and Dorothy – Doug (1956), Carol (1958), Brian (1961), and Rita (1963). Being at church every time the lights were on, a good education, learning to do chores, and taking music lessons (so they could help in church) were important goals for their children. Family breakfast was mandatory in the Dyck household with regular devotions and prayer taking place while the oatmeal George had made cooled. Community life developed a more important role as they watched Brian’s basketball games and attended music festivals. George was always available to support his children’s university dreams financially and to make sure everyone had a car of some shape or form. Those were his love languages. Sharing emotions and compliments was not George’s forte, so it was special when that happened. Thankfully Dorothy learned how to interpret for him.
The church and George’s faith were fierce priorities in his life. George said he made a decision to follow Jesus in his 20’s although he had come from a Christian home and had attended church as a child, whenever a preacher was available. In Burns Lake, George was involved in many areas of church life, including Sunday School, Church Board, Deacon, Usher, and various building projects. Becoming a member of the Gideons (now ShareWord) provided George with a stronger focus on evangelism through providing Bibles, as well as a strong fellowship group. He would even take his turn preaching a sermon when Gideons provided services in churches. George received his 50 Year Gideon plaque a few years ago.
After 51 years in Burns Lake, George & Dorothy moved back to the Fraser Valley in 2006 due to health issues. George got to spend more time with his sisters and the Kropp family, whom he always loved and appreciated. Spending time with Brian and Candace and family, regular walks to Clearway Rentals, and helping brother-in-law Jake fix sewing machines were certainly perks of life in Abbotsford.
When Dorothy passed away in 2009, George was lost without his soulmate, social convenor, financial adviser, and best friend. He also experienced congestive heart failure and moved to a Senior’s Apartment where he could have more social interaction and some meals. Giving up his driver’s license was very difficult for him. He found energy in visiting family, going to church, and growing tomatoes. In 2016, George’s dementia made it necessary for him to move to a Senior’s home, which was a decision George took stoically. Further health declines in the last years reduced his mobility and communication skills significantly, although he still appreciated visitors and continued to enjoy listening to music (conducting with his foot) until his last days.
George passed away Monday afternoon, February 5, with Brian by his side. He is now reunited with his dear Dorothy in Heaven and is praising Jesus with a stronger voice.
The family would like to thank the kind staff at Dufferin Care Home in Coquitlam, B.C. for their dedication and care for George. Special mention goes to MacKenzie, Devika, and Hazel, as well as others. Also, Doug, Carol and Rita would like to thank Brian for his commitment to visiting and caring for their dad while he was in care homes.
George was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, parents Gerhard & Maria (Sudermann) Dyck, parents-in-law John & Margarete Kropp, sisters Mary Dyck, Len Megchelsen, and Margaret Dyck, brother Phillip Dyck, brothers-in-law Gerry Megchelsen, Art Kropp, John Kropp, Jake Schellenberg, sisters-in-law Margaret Kropp, Lydia Kropp, Lora Dyck, son-in-law Gary Martens, and grandson Kyle Mulvey.
George is survived by his children Doug & Lynn Dyck (Grace & Mitch Shapansky), Carol Martens (Jeremy & Tamara Sawatzky-Martens, Karissa Martens & Aaron Denysuik, Kristina & Elroy Peters), Brian & Candace Dyck (Juliana, Joshua, Jacob, Jared, Jamison), and Rita & Ray Hanoski (Emily & Corey McNiece, Brianna Mireles), sixteen great-grandchildren (Racquelle, Layla & Miya Mulvey; Raelyn Mulvey; Makayla Mulvey; Duke, Charles & Grace Shapansky; Wesley, Max & Nova Sawatzky-Martens; William & Lila Denysuik; Mara Peters; Miya Kreiser & Emerson McNiece), sisters-in-law Ruth Schellenberg, Mary Zacharias, Judy Kropp, brothers-in-law Art Zacharias and Don Kropp, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at Eden Mennonite Church (46551 Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack, BC) on May 11, 2:00 p.m. Interment Service at Little Mountain Cemetery (10010 Hillcrest Dr., Chilliwack, BC) at 12:30 p.m.
If friends so desire, donations in memory of George Dyck may be made to ShareWord Global (formerly The Gideons International).