JOHNSON, Geoffrey Garneys Oct. 4, 1925 - Dec. 22, 2013 Geoff passed away peacefully at Sutherland Hills Rest Home, Kelowna. Geoff grew up in East Kelowna and he and his father were among the community members who built St. Mary's Anglican Church in 1936. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII, as a Navy gunner on merchant ships in convoy across the Atlantic. A life-long resident of East Kelowna, Geoff was an orchardist for many years. He served on the boards of directors for the BC Fruit Growers' Association, the Laurel Packing House, St. Mary's Church and the East Kelowna Community Hall. He also operated heavy machinery and worked on construction of the original Vancouver Island Highway, the Hope-Princeton Highway, and many projects around Kelowna. Geoff and Joan Bennett were married in 1953, and had three children - Jan, Pat, and Rob. The family enjoyed spending time during the summers boating, at the beach lot, and cheering on stock car #88. Joan and Geoff enjoyed the outdoors, spending many happy summers travelling and living in their fifth wheel trailer during their retirement. They both delighted in their four granddaughters, who added another joyous family dimension to their lives. Following Joan's death in 2008, Geoff continued living at home until 2012 when he moved to Sutherland Hills, close to Rob's family. He enjoyed watching the quail and other birds that he loved and his days were brightened by daily visits from his good friend and honorary niece, Jennifer Bauer. Geoff was predeceased by his wife Joan and his brother Ted and is survived by his daughter Jan (Ron Webster), his daughter Pat (Ron Cheffins), his son Rob (Elaine), his four granddaughters, Olivia, Hannah, Emma, and Kate, his sisters Joan Clapp and Valerie Reece, his sister-in-law Judy Johnson, and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Sutherland Hills, who enjoyed Geoff's sense of humour, and made his time there comfortable and happy. At Geoff's request, no funeral or memorial service is being held.
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