George Bowles

George  Passed away peacefully, in Georgian Bay, on Thursday, August 11, 2022. George sadly missed by his Spouse Mary Bowles (Waters), Daughter Heather Hall (Spouse Wayne), Son Clay Bowles (Spouse Carmen), Grand Son Ryan Morris (Megan), Great Grand Daughters Jayden, Leighton, Rowan; Grand Daughter Nicole Morris, Gr Grand Daughter Summer, Gr Grand Son Dexter, Gr Son Mason Morris (Kim), Gr Son Cooper Bowles, Brothers; Herb Bowles (Kathy), Rick Bowles (Angie).

Predeceased by Father Stan Bowles, Mother Eva Bowles (Akers), Sister Chris Colbeck (Fred), Marlene Gibbons.

George and Mary lived in their first House on Lambton Ave., Toronto where they had 2 Children Heather and Clay. George and Mary explored new Frontiers and started a Cottage in the 60’s with Mary’s Brother Bill (Arlene) Waters next door to each other for many years of Cottage life in Moon River, Ont. Then George and Mary sold their Cottage (late 60’s) and a New chapter starting Moon Basin Marina (which still exists today). George cut the path and put in the Road (early 70’s) now called Arnold Bay Rd. Which helped his and neighbours children go to school. He was a School Driver to meet/pick up/ drop off the kids by Boat, Dune Buggy and Snowmobile to meet the School Buses via Healy Lake from Moon River, then later by the Road he built to Twelve Bay Rd. He was an adventurous, inventive, brave, kind soul who always tried to help others. He learned to build, renovate many houses and buildings, Auto, Marine and Small engine Mechanics becoming a licensed Outboard/Inboard Mechanic, working on many Boats from afar. He caught Rattle snakes with a forked stick and we caged a few for the summer months to help show tourists what to look for in the bush, to hear the rattle as a warning. George and Mary didn’t always get time to go fishing after they started the Marina but they did catch many trophy’s still with family. They brought in George’s Sister and Brother-in-Law Chris and Fred Colbeck as Partners, as the winter months were lean financially. Eventually the business was over whelming for the Family and George had his first mental break ( being a perfectionist is hard on one’s self) which lead to the Sale of the Marina in the mid 70’s.

George and Mary then bought the property next door to the Marina and built another home, working near by MacTier until that became to difficult with seasonal work. They then sold this and bought a property on Shannon Rd., outside MacTier and George was a License Marine Mechanic for Gordan Bay Marina for many more years but again always seasonal work, making Winters hard financially. George got an offer to work at Boart Canada in Burlington as a Shipper/Receiver which eventually split off to Part Head Quarters Inc, also in Burlington. He retired in 1999 and set back to working on renovating his house in Burlington. They sold this house and moved to a Mobile Home Seniors Park in Grand Bend but that was too far away from Family, even though an enjoyable time for Carpet Bowling, Dominoes, dances and socializing. George was part of the Team or Ontario Champions for Carpet Bowling in the early 2000’s, travelling by Bus to different Venues.

Then George left Grand Bend and bought an older house/church on Southwood Rd., Gravenhurst in 2006 staying with his daughter Heather & Son In Law Wayne in Torrance, until he could move into his house. In 2012 he bought yet another house to renovate on Gravenhurst Pkwy, that was big enough for Mary and he to live in on separate floors but had to finish the Southwood house first to sell, which happened in 2015. George to the end, Nov. 2021 had renovated this 2 story house putting on a new roof in the summer of 2021, then siding didn’t get finished before Winter came. This is his last house to renovate as he never got back to work very much in 2022 where his illness was starting to affect him.

All of George’s Family and Friends have enjoyed Moon River Falls, Woods Bay, Georgian Bay over many decades and the 4th generation still does upon occasion.  George has chosen to return to Moon River for his last moments over looking the Moon Basin as the most beautiful place they lived. He and Mary’s favourite song is “Moon River” sung by Andy Williams (originally sung by Audrey Hepburn) that will serenade him.

LOVE YOU DAD, Husband, Brother, Grampa & Great Grampa XO