GEORGE RAYNER
Posted: August 11th, 2023
GEORGE RAYNER
1947 ~ 2023
George Allen Rayner passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at the age of 75 years, beloved husband of Laurie Hamilton of Medicine Hat. George was born in Medicine Hat, in September 1947, to George and Lily Rayner, the second of three boys. He grew up in Medicine Hat, attending Central Park, Riverside, Connaught, Alexandra, and Medicine Hat High Schools. Growing up , George enjoyed sports (baseball, basketball, hockey), and developed an interest in art.
He attended Medicine Hat College with the original aim of teaching phys ed, but gradually changed direction toward visual arts. He completed a B.A. through the University of Lethbridge. On returning to Medicine Hat (and living there ever since), George worked in the lab at Northwest Nitro, had a family, and spent his spare time playing ball, printmaking, and painting. He joined the Hockey Hounds, and began his beloved pastime of golf. In mid-life, he learned to cook and collected recipes to compile a cookbook.
A series of jobs after the plant closed eventually led to positions at DRDC Suffield, to animal care, and then the bio safety lab. He greatly enjoyed his carpool, his long‑suffering office‑mates, and amazing defense scientists. Mid‑life saw him visiting his mom four times a week, golfing one evening and three days weekly, playing 8‑ball in league, and cooking a big family supper on Saturday nights.
Retirement meant full‑time golf, lots of pool, and eventually becoming a grandpa. Coffee at the Legion (winter and rain days) with WW II veterans was a joy. Road trips to the U.S. always provided sightings of a nice little golf courseA. There were bus trips to Blue Jays games in Seattle and Minneapolis, Tigers Hockey, Mavericks season tickets, and several bus trips to Moose Jaw. George also got drug off to cruises through the Panama Canal and to Hawaii, where he discovered that once the flying was over he was a pretty good sailor.
George is survived by his wife P.L. (@LaurieA); children Jason (On; Itsuda, Oratha), Ryan (Aimee: Harlan, Narah, Easton, Loa), and Dana (Rob; Ewan McCuaig); brother Gerald (Janice; Trevor, Trent); mother‑in‑law Margaret/Peggy; and by Donald (Cindy; Alan, Patrick), Janet (Marty; Chris, Erin, and Daniel), and John (Rita; Michael, Nicole; Derek and Nicholas) Hamilton. He was predeceased by his father, George (1986), mother Lily (2007), and younger brother Richard (2011).
The family wishes to thank Masterpiece Southland for their amazing care and support through George@s last days; Dr. Lysak, Dr. Motsi, Dr. Jeraj, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Ahmad, and Dr. Lazarevic for their sensitive and thorough care of George; and to all the home care and Good Samaritan staff who assisted George these past four years.
The funeral service will be held at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. Those who wish to pay their respects may do so one hour prior to the service. The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow).
In lieu of flowers, donations in George=s memory can be made to A.J.=s Loan Cupboard (Alan Joys Memorial Fund Society) Box 45006, McKenzie Postal Outlet, Medicine Hat, or to the Alzheimer Society Alberta and Northwest Territories,#101, 1201 Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Y2.
To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.