Skip to content

DANIELS, George Eaton

Posted

Daniels 2

June 23, 1935, to February 9, 2022

George passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Campbell House Hospice in Collingwood. 

In his own words, he “flew to a higher power having navigated a life well lived”.

George was born in Bedford, England and is predeceased by his parents Cecil and Bunty, his sonAndrew (2004) and brother Bill (2022). He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Ruth (Ditson), son Tiff (Leah) and grandchildren Bennett George and DarbienJeanne and son Chris (Jen), his sister Fay Russell(Phillip), niece Andrea Russell and nephew Nick Russell.

As a boy growing up, George became fascinated with aviation, and as a young man obtained his commercial pilot’s license, had a small aviation company in Huntsville, Ontario and was a bush pilot in Northwestern Ontario. As well he enjoyed a lifetime of ‘taking to the sky’ as his favourite pastime right up to his final days.

In 1965 George and Ruth made the great decision to purchase a cottage on Lake of Bays, Muskoka, and the same year they became founding members of Devil’s Glen Country Club; both which provided him and his family with years of happiness surrounded by lifelong friends and neighbours.

George’s career was as a consummate sales and marketing professional highlighted by decades as a broadcasting executive (CJAD Montreal and CFRB Toronto) General Sales Manager (Otaco, Orillia) and Co-Founder & Managing Director (Signature Advertising).

While skiing was his and the families’ winter passion,at all times of the year he was an avid runner and competed in six marathon races including the Boston Marathon and the World Masters Games.

He and Ruth enjoyed travelling the Caribbean, USA, and Europe, while either on business trips, vacations, or visits to see relatives and their sons in France and the UK.

George took a leadership role in many of the organizations he served, such as Kiwanis (Orillia), Probus (Blue Mountain), the Lake of Bays Association, Andrew Daniels Fish Stewardship Foundation, and the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation.

Retiring to Collingwood in 1999, George put his volunteer skills to work. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Muskoka Natural Environment Award (2013), Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2014), Diamond Anniversary COPA Wings (2016), Sovereign Medal for Volunteerism (2016), Town of Collingwood Distinguished Citizenship Recognition (2021) and the Lifetime Achievement award from the Collingwood Flying Club (2021)

As a father he was a role model to his sons imparting the strong values of hard work, care for the family and service to the community. 

We are so proud and thankful for having had George in our lives. His spirit and memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Many thanks to the kind and caring staff at the Campbell House Hospice for making his last days comfortable.

In his memory, donations can be made to the charity of choice. 

Friends will be received for visitation at Fawcett Funeral Home Collingwood on Monday February 14, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A private funeral service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church at 2 pm Tuesday February 15, 2022. The service will be available by livestream. To attend the visitation or view the service please visit www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com 




Memories and Condolences