Obituary of George Cyril Joseph Couckuyt
George Cyril Joseph Couckuyt March 28, 1952-March 31, 2025
Of Grand Bend, passed unexpectedly, but peacefully at Stratford General Hospital with his beloved wife of 45 years, Brenda by his side. Dearly loved brother of Donna McQueen of Surrey, B.C. and #1 Uncle of Hannah McQueen. Brother-In-Law of Linda & John Campbell, Heather & Bob Maass, Garry Desjardine & Diane Meurkes, Nelson Desjardine, David Desjardine & Anmarie Hoffman. Special Uncle of many nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. Life long friends of Dan (2024) & Marianne Lucio. Predeceased by his parents Cyril (1994) & Emma (2019) (Murphy). Sister-in-law. Marian Venner (2021) & Barbara Clarke (2020)
George had a 25 year career with the O.P.P. where he was stationed in Merlin and Wheatley. He taught C.P.R. and first aid as well as being a firearm’s instructor. Upon retirement, he and Brenda moved back to Grand Bend to his childhood home. Always up for new challenges, he traded his red flashing light for a blue one and was a snow plow driver for 10 years.
George enjoyed many hobbies such as woodworking, (never-ending house renovations) as well as photography, stained glass and his latest artistic talent was creating jewelry from silverware. Over the years he spent many hours on the water fishing or boating for relaxation. His garage was his happy place with organized chaos, but “he knew exactly where everything was.”
George was a member of the Ontario Provincial Police Association and a proud & dedicated Ordinary Member of The Royal Canadian Legion both in Merlin & Grand Bend for 33 years, serving as Vice President, Poppy Chair as well as being a Promotions & Advertising volunteer.
Even though these last few years George faced physical limitations due to a diagnosis of Inclusion Body Myositis in 2017, he was always up for a chat and willing to share an opinion or advice or simply listen. He had a wide range of knowledge of many topics and likely never realized how much he truly touched people’s lives throughout his life.
George has generously donated ocular tissue for the purpose of transplant and also furthering medical research through The Trillium Gift of Life Network.
As per George’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A short service at Pinery Cemetery, Klondyke Rd. Grand Bend will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. A gathering to share our stories of George and raise a glass immediately following in the downstairs lounge at Grand Bend Legion 20 Municipal Dr.
Donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Veteran’s Memorial Br. #498 Grand Bend or towards The Poppy Campaign would be appreciated.
T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood entrusted with arrangements
Thank-you to the caring staff at South Huron Hospital, Exeter and Stratford General Hospital for the excellent care and compassion given to George this past week. Also to Dr. Klein, Dr. Lam, Dr. Ondrejicka, Dr. Shoesmith who cared for George over the years. Special thanks to George’s Bayshore P.S.W.‘S particularly C.J. who made our lives so much easier.
As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away.
All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on — in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were there….
Death ends a life not a relationship.
