It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of George Herbert Eugene Solomon, on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 peacefully at his home.
George will forever be missed and cherished by his loving wife Alice, children, Clinton (Johanna), Debra (Lorne) and Brian, grandchildren, Jonathan (Caroline) & Kevin Solomon, Grayson Hatfield, Savetta Solomon, Kelsey (Dave) and Daniel Shaffer, and Brianne Pollock.
Surviving siblings are, Wilma Amirault, Michael Solomon, Margaret Solomon, and Michelle Lauzon.
George was predeceased by his parents Nikola (Mike) and Edith Solomon (nee Howarth) as well as his siblings, James Solomon, and Victoria Solomon.
George was born in Richan Ontario on February 9th, 1937. While his father was overseas serving in WWII, George attended the Railroad School Car in Richan. His father returned after the war and moved his family to Glenorchy (between Atikokan and Mine Centre) where Mike worked on the railroad. George worked at local bushcamps and the railroad in those years. It was during those early years that George was exposed to machining after visiting a local gold miner at Mine Centre. This piqued his interest in the trade. George continued his love of machining and apprenticed under Duane Perusse and Eldon Berard; his apprenticeship was at the Iron Mines in Atikokan. He worked at Canada Car in ThunderBay for a short while and then returned to Atikokan to the mines and then later to the Sapawe Sawmill. In 1974, George and Alice moved their family to Dryden where he worked in the machine shop at Dryden Paper. At that time, George met his long-time friend, David Gardiner. 1977 saw the family move again to Fort Frances where George became employed with Denis Busch. At this period of time, The “Chonker” and the “U-Bolt Bender” were invented and copyrighted by George and Denis. In 1981 the family moved back to Dryden as George had become employed by Vulcan Machinery (located where the old shop was on Nymark Rd). In 1983, George purchased that location and created George Solomon & Sons Machining and Manufacturing LTD. He ran an excellent business that continues to grow today, employing countless people over the years and providing all of us with many skilled tradespeople.
Masonic life was also very important to George, and with his experience in being a gifted orator, he helped many of his brethren along their journey. Fishing was his passion, LacSeul was his backyard as he knew where to find big walleye others couldn’t, however. For those who accompanied him on those trips, the other highlight was being in the passenger seat with George as the driver on the ride to and from the lake!
Winter months, when not visiting the shop and passing on his “gems of wisdom” to the team (as he had a story for everything), were spent at the Rec Centre, either working out or watching his favorite Ice Dogs Team, and of course there was George doing the snow plowing while trying to not make contact. His generosity and willingness to help all were his passion. George had a “can do” attitude and a “get it done” ability that has left a legacy that will live on in our actions and memories.
The family would like to thank everyone for their care and concern for George and family, especially Lynn & Joe Powne, Roger Gould, Dr. David Goulet, Misty Parker, the personal support workers and nurses. A Special Thank You to George’s Lodge brothers for all their visits.
A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. Interment will follow in the Dryden Cemetery.
Should friends wish, in lieu of flowers, donations to Dryden Ice Dogs may be made through the Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part, Happy to Meet Again.
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand that an angel came
and called my name and took me by the hand.
The angel said my place was ready; in Heaven far above,
and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home;
for God looked down, smiled at me “Welcome Home”.
So, when tomorrow starts without me,
don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me,
I’m right there in your heart.
