Tribute

With broken hearts we announce the passing of George William Gruell, late of Crofton, British Columbia, on April 12, 2025 at the of 91. He was born in Congress, Saskatchewan on November 5, 1933. George was the fifth of nine children to Nickolas Grivul and Domina (Doris) Koropatniski – a large Ukrainian family. His father was a section foreman for the Canadian Pacific Railway, his mother cared for the family, and they moved along various railroad stations. The family finally settled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where four more children were born. Growing up in Moose Jaw during the dust bowl of the 1930s with a dirt floor, no running water, no indoor plumbing, and a large family made George tenacious and hardworking; he left school in Grade 9. He worked for a time on a sheep farm, and then as a locomotive fireman with the CPR. As a young person, George got on a train with some friends and travelled to BC. He loved the west coast and decided to stay.

In Vancouver George drove and delivered groceries, then applied to work for Canada Post, where he held a successful 31-year long career. Many colleagues turned into life-long friends. He met Elizabeth (Betty) Nimmo at a bingo hall; they fell in love and were married in 1968. The couple had two children, and lived in Vancouver, then Burnaby, and then to Surrey where they raised their family, and then the couple retired to Crofton.

George was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping, hiking, rock hounding, gold panning, fishing, hunting and bushwacking. He enjoyed playing golf (working part-time at the golf course into retirement), swimming and waterskiing, downhill skiing and tobogganing, playing and following hockey (Canucks, Maple Leafs), travelling (trips of a lifetime to the Cook Islands – twice!), reading western novels, playing cards, solving sudoku puzzles, puttering in his garden (he grew the best tomatoes), and he was a good handyman who liked his tools. He and Betty enjoyed weekly bowling and bingo. George was an active member of the Canada Post Heritage Club, with which he and Betty travelled on many trips with friends.

Although he lived on the west coast, George never lost his love of all things ‘Western’ – trains, western shirts, cowboy boots, a good cowboy hat, and a great belt buckle. Despite life’s challenges, George was never one to complain; his hugs were tight and his smile lit up the room. He was the kindest, smartest, hardest-working, most caring and generous person you would ever meet. He was the best brother, husband, brother-in-law, uncle, father and grandfather. George enjoyed sharing his sense of adventure and exploration, combining his love of nature, life and family.

George is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Betty; brothers Danny (Jackie) Gruell, and Earl Gruell; sister Elaine (Stan) Willetts; sons Steven (Melanie) Ryckman, and Raymond Ryckman; daughter Laura (Larry) Offley, and son Carl (Megan) Gruell; sisters-in-law Peggy (Pete) Cavanaugh, and Kathie Nimmo. He is predeceased by brother John Gruell; and sisters Nettie Gould, Rose Kaye, Elizabeth DuSomme, and Jean Scott; sisters-in-law Evelyn Gruell and Bonnie Gruell, and brother-in-law Robert Nimmo. George is fondly remembered by his oldest friend from childhood, Katherine Brown of Moose Jaw. He had lots of nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and was so proud of his great-great-granddaughter Alice – five generations to call family. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.

We wish to thank Dr. Manhas for his care of George, along with the doctors and nurses at Cowichan District Hospital. Private celebrations of life will be held in Crofton and Moose Jaw, with inurnment in Rosedale Cemetery, Moose Jaw.