This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Peacefully, on April 10, 2021, at the Golden Plough Lodge in Cobourg, Ontario. George was born on December 19, 1934, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to the late Robert George King and Sophie Arlow. Predeceased by his siblings Alec and Betty. Survived by his beloved wife Lynda (née Heard) and his brother Jim. He raised three loved children, Alyson, Andrew and Eileen. He was well-loved by his daughter-in-law Tanya Davies, and sons-in-law Rod Simpson and Heath Haynes. His grandchildren Emily, Andrew and Kieran have many fond memories of adventures, homemade cookies and unlimited access to the M & M dispenser with their grandpa. He is lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law, Joan Upton, and her family, Jason, Kim (Jim), Jazzlyn and Kenzie. He is also remembered by his other nieces and nephews (David, Brenda, Cathy, Janis, Jacquie, Jimmy, Julie, Michael (dec.), Roy, Alistair and their families). George was always the life of the party and loved to celebrate with family and friends.
Growing up in Belfast, George also lived at the family farm during WWII. He later worked in the family grocery store, for British Railway and as a special constable in Belfast. George was an avid rugby player, and was more interested in sports than school. He emigrated to Toronto in 1958, with tentative plans to continue to Australia, and lived with his brother Jim (Norma) and their family. Lynda lived next door with her family, and their love story began. After a winter of waving to each other from their kitchen windows, they had their first conversation – and Lynda couldn’t understand a word George said through his thick Northern Irish accent. Six months later, they were married. Although their life together had a rocky start when the wedding was postponed due to George’s rugby accident and emergency surgery, their marriage was full of love and adventure for the next 61 years.
George worked in Toronto at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, PetroFina and PetroCanada. After moving to Oshawa in 1976, he volunteered for many years with the Oshawa Minor Hockey Association. George and Lynda moved to Cobourg in 1994 where they made many new friends. George became passionate about golf in retirement, and could often be found walking the course as he played two rounds in a day. He also embraced his role as husband-of-the-Minister at the Trinity United Church Cobourg, and he is fondly remembered by many members of the church community.
Sincere thanks to the PSWs and the rest of the staff at the Golden Plough for their care and support through the years. Donations in memory of George can be made to Trinity United Church Cobourg or Northumberland Hills Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather again. For now, we ask all who loved George to raise a glass of Bushmills in celebration of a life well-lived.
I was lucky enough to get to know George and Lynda through my good friends (and George's son and daughter-in-law), Andrew and Tanya. Every time I saw George he had a sparkle in his eyes and could always make you feel welcomed. I was a pleasure to know him. My condolences to the entire King family and extended family.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.💓
With our sincere sympathy Lynda during this sad and difficult time. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. George was a fun-loving and kind man and will be missed. Harry and Sandy Weldon
Hello Lynda and family. Sorry to hear of George's death. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as you remember all the good memories you have created together. I always appreciated George's sense of humour and enthusiasm. Raising a toast to a life fully lived. Warmest regards Sandra Bell-Buttars
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
I am sorry to learn about George's passing. We both worked at Petrofina, me in Montreal him in Toronto. I had the opportunity to meet with him a number of times and appreciated his help during challenging times. He was a wonderful human being. We will miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family
My sincere condolence to you and your family . My thoughts and prayers are with you Linda
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Dear Linda and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Hugs 🤗 to you Linda.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Every time we met with George he was always upbeat and had us laughing. Our thoughts are with you and the family.
Dear Lynda, my deepest condolences to you and to your family. Please know my thoughts are with you. With Much Love ❤ Melody.
I remember George’s mirth and his enjoyment of a gathering at the Donaghy’s. Our condolences to you Linda. Life will not be the same , but oh the memories.
so sad to hear of the passing of George - a wonderful husband to Lynda -both admired for their presence in this town of Cobourg - always friendly and caring - lets hope his love for gold can continue as there are many golfers already in place - rest in peace - sincerely rosemary Avery
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Lynda, Andrew, Alyson and Eileen, we are so sorry for your loss and thinking of you all at this time. We have such happy memories of George, and that’s how we will always remember him ❤️ Much love to you all❤️ Joanne and Ian
Our deepest condolences to Lynda and family. We where lucky to have George as a neighbour for 11 years, and had many great talks over the backyard fence. Will always have great memories of those times.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Our deepest sympathy for a wonderful human being and his family. Hugs to all xxxx
Linda and family We extend our sincere thoughts and prayers at this time of the loss of George. We first met George and Linda when Linda was a caring minister on the Newtonville Charge. Our love for Linda and George just continued to grow. We will miss his humor. Donna and Donald Robins.
George was a wonderful friend to my Dad, Bill. They spent many enjoyable hours together on the golf course, in activities of the organizations to which they both belonged, and socially as couples with my Mom, Doris, and Linda. My thoughts are with you at this sad time, Audrey.
Sorry for your loss.
Linda we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. Veronica and Wayne
We'd like to express our sincere condolences to Linda & the family. Losing George will be a real loss to everyone. Such a nice man. Linda married our daughter Kristen & got to know Rod & his family through teaching. A beautiful family! Sending our thoughts & prayers for you all. Carol
Lynda and family, we are very sorry to hear of Georges passing ❤, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We too have many happy memories of you both and have thought of you many times since we separated as neighbours. You were wonderful neighbours and friends to us, and that we will never forget. ❤❤ George in fact introduced Jeff to Bushnills on your front porch (that which I jokingly scolded him for many times afterward lol). In fact, when I told Jeff about Georges passing, the first thing he said was, "If i had some Bushnills, I would have one right now in Georges honor". Take care, and hang on to all your wonderful memories. Love, Barb and Jeff ❤❤
Lynda, my prayers for you and your family in your loss. George never failed to produce a smile in the few encounters John and I had with him at the Royal, and I missed him when he left, as now I miss you. God bless you.
Our sincere sympathy for your loss. George was one of my favourite visitors to the Coffee Hour table, always a smile on his face and ready to chat. A lovely man who will be missed by so many.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Andrew - I send condolences to you and your family, on behalf of Sandy Elliott and myself.
Dear Lynda and family: George’s vibrant personality, big smile and love of cookies at Coffee Hour will be well remembered. He was a great guy!
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Dear Lynda, What a beautiful tribute to Trinity’s favourite Irishman. Even a brief encounter with this charming man left one feeling happy. My condolences to you and your family.
Alyson and family My heart goes out to you as you mourn the loss of your beloved father, George. You are in my thoughts and prayers. What a joyful reunion there will be one day! Allyson
My condolences to Lynda and family - George was a lovely person, I will always remember his bright smile and fantastic personality. Sending my love, April
Lynda and family, George was a delightful character full of good humour and warmth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. With you, we will indeed raise a glass in celebration of his life well lived! Anne and Paul
We will always remember George’s enjoyment of life and Halloween. From the knock at the door dressed in his clown costume or his hand out to receive a beer. George always enjoyed sharing his stories and chatting with neighbours. Our neighbourhood lost a joyful soul when he and Linda moved away from Chipping Park. Rest with peace, George.
Dear Lynda and Family, Very sorry to hear of George’s passing. We have had many good conversations with him during our coffee hours at Trinity about hockey mostly. We were also happy to have you both attend our daughter’s rehearsal party in our home. George was an interesting man and he’ll be missed . Sincerely Linda and Dave
Dear Lynda and Family, We were very fond of George because he was always welcoming whether in Trinity or out in the community. I have missed him already but know that he is with our Lord as promised. Hugs to you all in your time of grieving and remembering what a personality George was in the life of his family, friends and acquaintances!
Lynda and family So sorry to hear about George He was such a lovely man always smiling and always spoke when we met somewhere Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time Take care Jane and Wayne
Dear Lynda and family, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. George was definitely a delight to all who had the honour of meeting him. This obit is beautifully written and a lovely snapshot of a fine gentleman. Sincerely, Carol Currelly-Burnham (Carr)
His Irish eyes will still be smiling. My sincerest condolences. Lorraine Harnden
Lynda & family My sincere condolences on George’s passing. What an adorable neighbor. Always loved our morning waves around the corner off the balcony. King George,always to be remembered as a very sweet man. As I raise my glass🥃💙🙏🏻 Love from Jeanie
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
RIP King George! We always joked about that at the Oasis. One of my favourite customers, such a warm spirited Irish soul. He always kept a spot on his walker for his Guinness. Proper thing Don and Carol Owen