VERMEULEN, George Eric

August 30, 1949 - April 28, 2020 In loving memory of George Eric Vermeulen who passed away at the age of 70 on April 28, 2020 at Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, British Columbia. George had an indomitable spirit and faced numerous health challenges throughout his life, fighting each with courage and grace until the end. George will be dearly missed and is remembered by his loving family, wife of 44 years Tanya "Tanny" (née Konkin); daughter Robyn Atkinson (John) of Auckland; daughter Courtenay (Marc Sattler) of Calgary; and son John (Satomi Hanazumi) of Vancouver. With great excitement, George welcomed grandsons Finn and James "Jimmy" Atkinson, and granddaughter Claire Vermeulen to our family. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his newest grandson, Conrad George Sattler, due to arrive in September. George is also survived by his mother Phyllis Vermeulen, and sister Cheryl van de Vyver, both of Louis Trichardt, South Africa; his aunt Sheila of Durban, South Africa; his in-laws Jody Vajda (Chris) and Dann Konkin (Carey Fieldgate) of North Vancouver; sister-in-law Lynne Dunham (Mike Steele) of Sechelt and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, the United States and South Africa. George now joins those we have loved and lost before. He was predeceased by his infant son Rhodes Ian, brothers Douglas and Ian, sister Moira, father Johannes Gerhardus "George", father- and mother-in-law Tom and Jeri Konkin and brother-in-law Russ Dunham. Born on August 30, 1949 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, George spent his early years in what are now Zimbabwe and Zambia. He spent five years at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa graduating in 1973 with an undergraduate degree in Economics with a Psychology minor. George then returned to Rhodesia to work with his parents in their business, Midlands Office Machines. It was in Rhodesia that he met a Canadian backpacker, Tanny Konkin. She returned to Canada soon after and then George was conscripted to the Rhodesian Army in 1974. George made a visit to Canada during this time and in 1976 he and Tanny returned to Rhodesia together. They married later that year. By 1977, they decided to begin a new life in Canada. Spending the last 43 years in North Vancouver, George and Tanny raised their children while they worked together in her parents' business, Ad-Print Markings (now Ampco Manufacturers Inc.). Working closely with family and associates, George succeeded in innovating new product concepts that continue to this day. George was actively involved in day-to-day business operations until 1989, when became ill for the first time. In the ensuing three decades George defied the odds, successfully beating lung cancer and kidney disease among a host of other ailments. As a result of his battles George passed on with one lung and three kidneys, the third gifted by his adoring wife. George lived a life of determined commitment to all things he gave his love and energy to. His greatest joys in life were his family and friends. History was his passion and he encouraged others to read history and learn from it, reminding us that it always repeats itself. George was particularly fond of his health care team and so appreciated their compassion, care and the quality they brought to his life. He and his family send their heartfelt thanks to the entire St. Paul's Hospital Renal Transplant team with special thanks to Dr. David Landsberg, Dr. Monica Beaulieu and Anita Zienkiewicz RN, and to Dr. Marc Boileau of North Vancouver, his personal physician. A service will be held at a future date when family and friends can come together again to remember a man we loved deeply and respected immensely. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the St. Paul's Foundation (Kidney Clinics and Renal Transplant Ward) or to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. After decades of struggle, finally your real adventure begins. Godspeed, 'til we meet again. We will love you always. "We are not humans beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience."