Ode to a Magic Man....

On April 26, 2003 I was 37,000 feet in the air, crossing hemispheres back to Canada for a few days with my family before heading off to Boulder, Colorado for the summer. While I was in Australia I was having some terribly disturbing dreams – dreams of losing someone very close and dear to me. As I sat in my seat, looking up at the TV monitor between movies, the screen said 2:18AM pacific time zone. I remember thinking everyone I know back home is sleeping... or should be sleeping anyway.

Twenty some odd hours later… on the same day... I arrived at Vancouver International Airport. My Mom was there to pick me up, but not my Grandpa. He always comes for the drive, wherever “the drive” may go. I just figured my Mom had brought the car, and with the bike case, there wasn't enough room.

As we were walking across the parking lot she mentioned having come in the van. I said I was surprised that Grandpa didn’t come along since she had the van. “Grandpa’s no longer with us,” she said.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!

I was floored! That couldn’t be right! That’s NOT right! Yeah, he was 94 years old but he was never “old”. We all felt like he would always be there – like he always was. I asked why she didn’t tell me and she said he had passed away while I was in the air – just after 2AM.

That week at home was a little tough and most likely I will not put any journal online for it. I did, however, want to share my Grandpa’s obituary. Its really impossible to fully explain all that he meant and all that he did — this is merely a glimpse into the life of a truly amazing and inspiring person. I am so grateful to have had him in my life so long.

I miss you and I love you, Grandpa. Always and forever.

WATSON _ George Thomas, late of Delta BC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 26, 2003 at the age of 94. While our hearts are weighted with loss of a great man, they are lifted by thoughts that, after fourteen years, George joins his loving wife and best friend, Gladys.

Known as "Magic George", he loved to entertain, always bringing smiles to faces and warmth to hearts with his magic, piano playing and wit. A great liver of life, Magic George stayed young at heart, living an active and happy life right to his last breath. He spent his recent years learning Spanish and sign language, studying holistic and Chinese medicine, playing table tennis, doing tai-chi, walking, swimming and warming hearts with his piano playing and magic.

Hearing him tell stories of his remarkable life will be greatly missed, including those of: playing piano for the old "Silent Movie" theatres; taking first place in the 1.25 mile swim from English Bay to "Old Joe's House"; participating in the first English Bay annual Polar Bear swim; receiving the Bronze Medallion for Life Saving; dancing with Lucille Ball; playing piano with Mickey Rooney; traveling with Mandrake the Magician; getting Babe Ruth to autograph a ball for his ill brother; playing piano and organ while Gladys sang in churches about town; and too many more to mention.

As an entrepreneur and active community member, George built numerous successful businesses, was General Manager for Atlas Diesel (supplying marine engines for WWII), and was an administrator of the BC Sheet Metal Association. His community involvement included: President of the Vancouver Active Service Club, raising funds for the Cripple Children's Hospital; Vice-Chairman of the War Services Fund; and President of the Vancouver Magic Circle, receiving the "Order of Merlin" as a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.