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George Linklater Rothney passed away on October 29, 2012 at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. He was born in Winnipeg Manitoba on November 29, 1920, the third of four children of Dr. William Oliver Rothney and his wife Agnes Brodie Linklater Rothney. George spent his early years in Sherbrooke, Quebec and followed his father into a career in Education after his graduation from Bishop's University. In 1945 he married Audrey Elaine Robertson in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and together they lived in a number of communities in Quebec before moving to Abbotsford in 1978. He earned a Master's Degree in Education from Columbia University and spent 35 years as an educator in roles ranging from chemistry teacher, to principal, to district supervisor, to provincial inspector of schools to director general of the Lennoxville District School Board in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. He was honoured by the Quebec Department of Education and his professional colleagues with the Order of Scholastic Merit. George had a great passion for music and over the years he sang as a soloist, in men's quartets and choirs, and for more than 65 years in church choirs. He thoroughly enjoyed Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and played leading roles in many productions. After his retirement, he and his wife did more traveling. Highlights included a cruise through the Panama Canal and a trip to Maui and they shared many fond memories of their 23 years as snowbirds in Florida and Tucson, Arizona. George was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Gordon and William and his sister Isabel Duffett. George is survived by Audrey, his beloved wife of 67 years, son Tom (Denise) of Chemainus, daughters Linda (the late David Appleton, Andrew Kenyon) of Oakville, Ontario and Susan of Abbotsford, grandchildren Jamie Rothney (Krista Slavinski) of Toronto, Adrienne Haponiuk (Michael) of Edmonton and Jordan Appleton of Oakville, and his three great-grandchildren, Owen Rothney and Zachary and Joshua Haponiuk.

George's faith remained strong throughout his recent illness but he requested that no public memorial be held for him. His loving family will miss him terribly but are comforted by the fact that he is at peace. He was a kind, gentle man who was a wonderful husband and father. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com



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