Passing of George Dunlop

This morning at 10:30 my father-in-law George Dunlop passed away. He is survived by the love of his life - Peggy (Ina) Dunlop and their five children: Dawn (Wayne Hynes of Almonte ON), Doreen (John of GPK), Nancy (of GPK), Bob (of Ottawa ON) and Bonnie (Chris Burridge of Aylmer QC). They had twelve grandchildren: four from Dawn and Wayne (Robyn, Angie, Sara and Tom), two from Doreen and I (Kristen & Jeff), four from Bob and Cathy (Amanda, Michael, Katie and Mary), and two from Bonnie (Jamie and Dillon). They also had fourteen great-grandchildren (eleven in Canada and three in the U.S.A). George volunteered for WW2 when he was sixteen, and two years later he was involved in the Normandy Invasion, landing on Day 5 near Ouistriham France. He was a member of a reconnaissance regiment, the 17th Hussars, Royal Duke of York Regiment. Their job was to coat their faces with mud and sneak out after dark to try to locate German strongholds. After half a yea...r of fighting one of his commanding officers said to him, "George, you don't have to volunteer to go out EVERY night. But that's the type of person he was - brave. He was nearly killed twice in the war, once when he was lucky enough to dive on the right side of a tree when he heard an incoming German bomb. The second time was when he and his buddies, after months of constant fighting, had been pulled back twenty miles from the front for some rest. They were in a French farmhouse, watching a war movie no less, when a German artillery shell hit the house directly. Several of his friends were killed but he was pulled from the wreckage alive. Within a short time he had recovered and was back with his recy. regiment. After fighting through Belgium and Holland the Canadian Army arrived in Northern Germany about two weeks before the end of the war. After decommissioning he met and married his beautiful bride Peggy and they soon began their family. He worked for Bell Canada and with that company was sent to places like Greenland and Saudi Arabia. From the latter George and Peggy got to visit many other interesting parts of the world. After retiring they moved to Carleton Place ON and spent many wonderful winters in Florida. But the reason I hold him in such high regard is because of the time he took my son fishing in Carleton Place. While teaching him how to cast, my son Jeff, about 6 yrs. old, cast himself into the cold fast-flowing Mississippi River. Without a second's hesitation, George, over 65 years of age, dove into the river and pulled Jeff to shore. To prevent hypothermia he got him home quickly. For this reason alone I owe him more that I could ever express, and for the same reason I know he's now smiling in heaven, trying to find the Scottish section. If you get a chance, say a prayer for this proud Scotsman and even prouder Canadian. George, you'll always be a hero to me.

 

Thanks John R.... our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.