George passed away Saturday April 27th in Owen Sound, surrounded by family. He will be missed by his cherished wife Patricia Hiemstra (Spacek) partner for 60 years, loving children Jennifer Hiemstra and Robert Hiemstra, and his elder sister Sarah De Jong (Hiemstra, Meima), Patricia's siblings and many nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends.George was born in Sneek, Netherlands at the beginning of WWII to Sidney and Sylvia Hiemstra (Kingma), and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1948, settling first in Owen Sound, Ontario. George and Patrica lived and taught in Ajax, Ontario for many years, and then retired first to Ottawa for 11 years, then Toronto for 11 years, and finally settling in George's beloved boyhood hometown of Owen Sound in 2016. One of George's passions was music, and he sang with the Opera in Concert chorus in Toronto and the Saugeen Bach Choir in Hanover, Ontario, and performed solo in many recitals. Late in life, he enjoyed piano lessons with Kati Gleiser, who had previously been his vocal coach and accompanist. Thank you to the nurses and doctors at Grey Bruce Hospital in Owen Sound, and Home and Community Care Support Services South West, especially the personal support workers who came to the home. Thank you also to all the wonderful friends and neighbours at Harbourfront Condominium (the Pink Palace) who have been so supportive and kind throughout. Those who wish to make donations in memory of George are asked to contribute to any of OSHaRE, Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) or Amnesty International.
