George Ramsay

George Thomas Ramsay, 93, of Okotoks, AB, and former long-time Flin Flon resident, passed away on October 31, 2025. He was born to parents Mary and Thomas Ramsay in Rapid City, Manitoba, on March 12, 1932.

George was predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Betty, in March of this year; his infant son Tommy and his daughter Debbie; his parents Thomas and Mary; and siblings Ronald and Bette and brothers-in-law Garth Hunter and Jack Goodman.

He is survived by his daughter Vicki in Ontario and son Steve (Karla) in Alberta. As well, sisters-in-law Ava MacKenzie of Kincardine, ON, and Marion Hall of Airdrie, AB.

Remembering him fondly are grandchildren and their spouses Carmen (Darren) Ward, Justin (Brandi) Moore, Bill Moore, Brandon (Raychel) Moore, Chad Wiggins and Brooke Ramsay. He also will be missed by the great grandchildren: Hannah; Tyller, Kaitlee, Halle and Paxton; Brody and Caydance; and Jorja and Grayson. The BC family of Kim and Scott, Sandy and Bill, Kelly and Lissa and their children as well as all the nieces and nephews out in Ontario; Susan (Roy); Shannon; Judy, Debbie; Robyn; and Bill (Kathy); Tammy (Jason) and families.

George spent his early years in God’s Lake, MB, where his father found work in the Gold Mine. That life brought them to Flin Flon and HBM&S. George’s first jobs were working in the bakery and being a delivery truck driver, then he started driving taxi. It was that last job that changed the course of his life as he met a man from Horton Steel who encouraged him to come and work out east. He liked the adventure of that and off he went.

Through his co-worker Paul, he met Betty in Kincardine, ON, in 1951 and they were married in 1952. The young couple travelled throughout Canada, living in boardhouses wherever George was working - Newfoundland, Labrador, Ontario and Alberta were “homes” for short periods of time. Debbie was born in Ontario and soon after they decided to move back to Flin Flon where George would begin a career with HBM&S that would last almost 25 years. He started on the bull gang and eventually moved to the “shop” where he became a boilermaker.

George and Betty welcomed daughter Vicki in 1957 and son Steve in 1962. George worked out of the family home garage on Centre Street for years before he left HBM&S and started Ramsay Custom Iron Works in 1972 in Channing. Spare time was tight, but he did enjoy being an instructor for the Junior Rifle Range program in Flin Flon. His ability to create things with steel was quite remarkable. We have a photo album of all the handrails he built for the homes of Flin Flon … there are a lot of them!

George’s love of the outdoors started with his life in God’s Lake. When he moved to Flin Flon he met Oscar Johnson, a trapper that lived out at Aimee Lake. Weekend trips with the Hedman brothers, Dixon brothers, Elwood Strom and brother-in-law Wayne Hall, out to Oscar’s, became the norm … and walking out there in snowshoes in the wintertime was also normal. That friendship would span decades, as well as his friendship with another trapper, Alfie Swanson, who lived out at Athapap. His love for the outdoors never left him and that is one thing all the grandchildren say; that they are thankful for his guidance in getting them outside in all temperatures to enjoy nature. His activity level throughout his life would prove to keep him healthy and strong right to the end of it.

George sold his business Custom Iron Works in 1985. After retirement he remained productive and active by sharing life with dogs, whether it was Ole, Nordy or Banjo – they never strayed far from their friend. His overabundant feed for the birds of the Boreal forest is a true representation of his kindness. The birds would wait for him and often tap on the windows to alert their arrival. He spent many days fishing and hunting with friends and family. Even at 80 he and friend Freddie Boutellier had a successful hunting season. He enjoyed company at the house and especially loved it when the grandkids and great grandkids performed for him in their living room. There was always a snowmobile to ride, a hut to fish in, the trail to walk on and fishing lines to try fishing off the rocks. Oh, those rocks … he loved sitting out on those rocks.

He was quiet, so when he spoke, you listened. He will be remembered for making us feel safe and loved. He will be remembered for his strength, his kindness and how he lived his life by standing firm in how he chose to spend his time. He was not swayed by the latest fad or idea, and he focused on what was best for him and his family. He was a man who was strong minded and tender hearted.

A family gathering will be held in Flin Flon, celebrating both George and Betty, next summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Flin Flon/Creighton & Area SPCA, it was a charity George believed in strongly.