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George L. West Obituary

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George L. West

Vermilion, OH

March 6, 1927 - October 12, 2021

George L. West Obituary

George Leonard West March 6, 1927 - October 12, 2021 Beloved husband of Phyllis May (King) West from Newfoundland and Father to Sharon, Linda, Susan, (born in Halifax, Nova Scotia), and Gary, born in Ohio. George was born at home in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Canada on March 6, 1927 weighing in at 13 lbs. George grew up and enjoyed a happy youth on Cape Breton Island with his parents Marguerite and Jacob Alvin West; sister, Marjorie Williams and brothers: Orean and Willie West. George loved being a grandfather to Joshua Chapple and Jacob and Elijah Millhouse. He enjoyed activities with his son in laws: Lee(Susan) Millhouse, and John(Linda) Parmer. Underage, George enlisted and served in the Canadian Army in 1945.After the war, George moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is here he met Phyllis in the Young People’s group at St. Matthew’s Church. A loving match, they married in St. Matthew’s on July 15, 1950. This is a love that was a strong thread throughout their lives together. George was a devoted Freemason for close to 70 years having been raised a Master Mason in Burns Lodge of Halifax. The tenet of Freemasonry were very important to George and after years of service was elected Chaplain Emeritus of Ely Lodge in Vermilion. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and as a Roadrunner with the Shrine, served countless families driving children to Shrine hospitals in Chicago and later to Tampa Shrine Hospital for Children. George and Phyllis enjoyed many activities and parades with the Hillbillies and George also served as Worthy Patron for Madeleine Chapter of Eastern Stars with Phyllis and twice more. George’s faith was also very important and he was always active in a church where he lived. From St. Mathews Church in Halifax to Vermilion UCC Congregational, to Buckingham Presbyterian to First Congregational UCC to the Masonic Home. He loved singing in the choir and served as a deacon and on several committees. To those who knew him, George was a gentle soul, a dedicated leader, a true “Gentleman and a Scholar” and a man who loved humor, having a lust for laughter. His quiet strength and high sense of honor lit the way he lived his life. George was curious about everything and continued to study and learn about people and cultures around the world that connect us all. His sense of adventure and enjoyment gave him many special experiences such as spending hours taking photos from the top of Notre Dame (and pretending to be Quasimodo), going down into King Tutt’s tomb, and marveling at the locks going through the Panama Canal, to name but a few. The natural wonders of the Grand Canyon he shared with his son, Gary just last year. He loved the ocean and ships, especially cruising on one! George enjoyed meeting people and it is from him (and our mom, Phyllis) that we learned to value every human from every walk of life. After 40 years in Vermilion, George and Phyllis moved to Ft. Myers where they had 14 years with many friends. The next phase included the Masonic Community in Springfield for 5 years. Then following George had 5 years with son Gary.Their time together was special (both as father/son and brothers in Freemasonry).When George’s health changed, he took up residence in Mill Manor in Vermilion, close to his three girls. The family will receive friends on Monday, October 25, 2021 from 4 pm until the time of a Masonic service and memorial service at 6 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. The Reverend Melinda Quellhorst will officiate. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.

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