It is with broken hearts we announce the unexpected passing of George Franklin Upper on Thursday, July 14, 2016.
George died suddenly at the age of 71 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with his family by his side.
Born in St. Catharines on July 19, 1944, George spent much of his youth at his ancestral family home in Allanburg, built in 1809 and still in the family’s possession, where he developed a passion for history and led to his calling as a teacher at Lakeview and Hammarskjold. Retiring in 1999, he kept every class list he ever taught so he would never forget a student.
In 1966 he met the love of his life Mary Lou Adkins in Toronto. She a nurse and he an employee at American Airlines, the two first met at a party and lost touch for a time. Two years later, George found Mary Lou’s number in a coat pocket and decided to ask her out on a date.
The two were inseparable ever since, marrying in 1969 and moving to Thunder Bay so George could start his new career as a teacher with Lakehead Public Schools.
Along with teaching, history, English and personal finance, George found a new passion when he became a father to Emily Upper in 1985. That passion grew even more when granddaughters Penelope Upper-Smith, 3, and Audrey Upper-Smith, 1, were born. The girls could usually be found in grandpa’s arms or hanging around his neck and ankles.
George is survived by wife Mary Lou, daughter Emily (Jamie Smith), granddaughters Penelope and Audrey, brother Robert Upper (Sharron) of Allanburg, ON, sister-in-law Joyce Scott (Earl) of Gravenhurst ON and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and grand nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Anna Upper and niece Carole Gilligan.
A celebration of life will take place at The Murillo Hall Sunday, July 24th at 1 p.m..
Always one to offer financial advice, in lieu of flowers or donations George would tell you to save your money but if you must, please
?donate to a charity of your choice. Happy Birthday George! We love you!
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts”
-William Shakespeare
