May 31, 1947 – November 30, 2018
WATSON, George William of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully at Foothills Medical Centre on the morning of November 30, 2018 at the age of 71.
The oldest child of Grant and Janke (Jenny) Watson, George was born on May 31
st
, 1947 in Leamington, Ontario where he grew up on a 100-acre working dairy farm in Wheatley with his five surviving siblings: Howard, Dwight, Harold, Sonya and Roger. George always exceled with numbers and graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (1970) and an MBA (1972), an AMP from Harvard University, and completed the Stanford University’s Director program.
While George’s education and career were always at the forefront, his most important achievement at school was his courtship of Sheila at Queen’s University, culminating in marriage on April 29, 1972. George and Sheila shared the last 48 years together, creating a family legacy George was immensely proud of, bringing three children – Eric (Kim – nee Sullivan), Tara (David) Ramsden-Wood, and Scott (Beth – nee Silliman) – and seven grandchildren – Ella, Ben, Katelyn, Andrew, Georgia, Abigail and Rebecca – into the world. In recent years, George took great joy in observing his grandchildren from his favourite chair, never missing an opportunity to tease them or capture one in the grip of his legs. George’s distinct laugh, his slow walk hobbled by multiple hip replacements, his unfiltered honesty/opinions, his generous 3ft personal gimmes on the golf course that allowed him to keep pace with Sheila, and his understated but ever-present love will be deeply missed and always treasured by his family.
In work as in life, George was fiercely driven and competitive, always striving to succeed. George started his career in banking with CIBC in Toronto, where amongst other duties, he had responsibility for the Dome Petroleum account. Liking what they saw in the talented young man, Dome hired George away from CIBC as the Vice President of Finance in 1981 where he assumed responsibility for Dome’s restructuring effort, one of the largest in Canadian history at the time. In 1988, concurrent with Amoco’s purchase of Dome, George assumed the role of Treasurer of Amoco Canada. Facing the prospects of moving his family away from Calgary, George left Amoco for the role of President and CEO of Intensity Resources. His tenure at Intensity was short-lived as George would accept the role of CFO for TransCanada Pipelines (June 1990) and later be promoted to President and CEO (March 1993 to July 1999) at only 45 years of age. The TransCanada role had an enduring impact on George’s career, personal life and health, but with no regrets.
After TransCanada, George would go on to co-found a company with his oldest son Eric. The company was merged into what is now Critical Control Energy Services Corp. where George served as CEO from 2002 to 2007, and Chairman from 2007 to June 2018. Throughout the years, George served numerous directorship and advisory roles for a myriad of companies and non-profit associations. Some of the most prominent include: Conference Board of Canada, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Canadian Energy Pipelines Association, Queen’s University, Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA), TransCanada Pipelines, Teekay LNG Partners LP, Puget Energy and TD Bank.
George will be remembered as both giving and frugal. He was an active fundraiser and contributor to Queen’s University and many other charitable causes. George was also extremely giving of his time, often spending hours at the Bow Valley Club chatting with/mentoring strangers seeking insight into his thoughts and experiences. George’s impact on the energy industry in Canada, and to those who knew him, was broad and deep. His contributions to the many he mentored and influenced will live on forever. George also didn’t miss a chance to save a buck (or two). Throughout his entire career, George would religiously pack and bring his own brown bagged lunch to work every day because he thought eating out was wasteful. Rooted in his upbringing, George always lived modestly and well within his means.
In his prominent years, George did everything with great ferocity and determination both in and out of work. He enjoyed battles on the squash court (until his hips began to fail him in his 40’s) and was renowned for his daily 1-hour workout on the stair machine at the Bow Valley Club. Despite his unorthodox swing that he attributed to his bad hips, George enjoyed playing golf which he undertook almost exclusively with his family over the past 20 years at the Calgary Golf & CC, Fairmont Hot Springs and the South Okanagan. In recent years George even started to enjoy leisure travel with Sheila, something he had little time for during his prime working years. Trips to New Zealand, South Africa and Hawaii were recent highlights.
Time softened George and he became more patient, giving and compassionate. While he was never one to express his feelings verbally, his love for his family was evident in his actions and his smile. His body may have failed him, but his spirit lives on through all of his children and grandchildren. He will be missed. We love you George.
The family would like to thank the wonderful care provided by Home Care Assistance. A celebration of George’s life will be held at 4pm on January 2
nd
, 2019 at the Calgary Golf & Country Club. Given that George was well known for his colourful knee high socks that he adorned on (and regrettably off) the golf course, we ask that you consider honouring him by wearing something similar during the celebration. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, we also ask that you consider a donation to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation at
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-involved/donate
. Condolences can be posted online at
www.cochranecountryfuneralhome.com
.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George William Watson, please visit our flower store.
WATSON, George William of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully at Foothills Medical Centre on the morning of November 30, 2018 at the age of 71.
The oldest child of Grant and Janke (Jenny) Watson, George was born on May 31
st
, 1947 in Leamington, Ontario where he grew up on a 100-acre working dairy farm in Wheatley with his five surviving siblings: Howard, Dwight, Harold, Sonya and Roger. George always exceled with numbers and graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (1970) and an MBA (1972), an AMP from Harvard University, and completed the Stanford University’s Director program.
While George’s education and career were always at the forefront, his most important achievement at school was his courtship of Sheila at Queen’s University, culminating in marriage on April 29, 1972. George and Sheila shared the last 48 years together, creating a family legacy George was immensely proud of, bringing three children – Eric (Kim – nee Sullivan), Tara (David) Ramsden-Wood, and Scott (Beth – nee Silliman) – and seven grandchildren – Ella, Ben, Katelyn, Andrew, Georgia, Abigail and Rebecca – into the world. In recent years, George took great joy in observing his grandchildren from his favourite chair, never missing an opportunity to tease them or capture one in the grip of his legs. George’s distinct laugh, his slow walk hobbled by multiple hip replacements, his unfiltered honesty/opinions, his generous 3ft personal gimmes on the golf course that allowed him to keep pace with Sheila, and his understated but ever-present love will be deeply missed and always treasured by his family.
In work as in life, George was fiercely driven and competitive, always striving to succeed. George started his career in banking with CIBC in Toronto, where amongst other duties, he had responsibility for the Dome Petroleum account. Liking what they saw in the talented young man, Dome hired George away from CIBC as the Vice President of Finance in 1981 where he assumed responsibility for Dome’s restructuring effort, one of the largest in Canadian history at the time. In 1988, concurrent with Amoco’s purchase of Dome, George assumed the role of Treasurer of Amoco Canada. Facing the prospects of moving his family away from Calgary, George left Amoco for the role of President and CEO of Intensity Resources. His tenure at Intensity was short-lived as George would accept the role of CFO for TransCanada Pipelines (June 1990) and later be promoted to President and CEO (March 1993 to July 1999) at only 45 years of age. The TransCanada role had an enduring impact on George’s career, personal life and health, but with no regrets.
After TransCanada, George would go on to co-found a company with his oldest son Eric. The company was merged into what is now Critical Control Energy Services Corp. where George served as CEO from 2002 to 2007, and Chairman from 2007 to June 2018. Throughout the years, George served numerous directorship and advisory roles for a myriad of companies and non-profit associations. Some of the most prominent include: Conference Board of Canada, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Canadian Energy Pipelines Association, Queen’s University, Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA), TransCanada Pipelines, Teekay LNG Partners LP, Puget Energy and TD Bank.
George will be remembered as both giving and frugal. He was an active fundraiser and contributor to Queen’s University and many other charitable causes. George was also extremely giving of his time, often spending hours at the Bow Valley Club chatting with/mentoring strangers seeking insight into his thoughts and experiences. George’s impact on the energy industry in Canada, and to those who knew him, was broad and deep. His contributions to the many he mentored and influenced will live on forever. George also didn’t miss a chance to save a buck (or two). Throughout his entire career, George would religiously pack and bring his own brown bagged lunch to work every day because he thought eating out was wasteful. Rooted in his upbringing, George always lived modestly and well within his means.
In his prominent years, George did everything with great ferocity and determination both in and out of work. He enjoyed battles on the squash court (until his hips began to fail him in his 40’s) and was renowned for his daily 1-hour workout on the stair machine at the Bow Valley Club. Despite his unorthodox swing that he attributed to his bad hips, George enjoyed playing golf which he undertook almost exclusively with his family over the past 20 years at the Calgary Golf & CC, Fairmont Hot Springs and the South Okanagan. In recent years George even started to enjoy leisure travel with Sheila, something he had little time for during his prime working years. Trips to New Zealand, South Africa and Hawaii were recent highlights.
Time softened George and he became more patient, giving and compassionate. While he was never one to express his feelings verbally, his love for his family was evident in his actions and his smile. His body may have failed him, but his spirit lives on through all of his children and grandchildren. He will be missed. We love you George.
The family would like to thank the wonderful care provided by Home Care Assistance. A celebration of George’s life will be held at 4pm on January 2
nd
, 2019 at the Calgary Golf & Country Club. Given that George was well known for his colourful knee high socks that he adorned on (and regrettably off) the golf course, we ask that you consider honouring him by wearing something similar during the celebration. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, we also ask that you consider a donation to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation at
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-involved/donate
. Condolences can be posted online at
www.cochranecountryfuneralhome.com
.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George William Watson, please visit our flower store.
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