George Gilbert, well-known for decades throughout the Yukon's mining industry and a resident of Whitehorse for over 40 years, died Feb. 14 at Whitehorse General Hospital. He was 82.
George moved to Whitehorse in 1967, having been appointed Newmont Mining's resident geologist for the Yukon. He later transferred to the federal government's mining section, retiring in 1989 as Chief Placer Inspector.
Born in Vancouver in 1925, George grew up in in the mining town of Wells, BC, having moved with his family to this new community in 1934, the year it was established. He took to the outdoors from an early age--hiking and camping, hunting and fishing, climbing and prospecting. After finishing school, he joined the Air Force during the latter stages of World War Two, serving two years.
Returning to the Wells-Barkerville area of BC in 1946, he worked at various mining and guiding jobs before joining Cariboo Gold Quartz fulltime. He remained with his mining firm for 20 years, eventually the position of manager. Through the 1940s and the 1950s, he spent many of his weekends and vacations tramping through the Cariboo Mountains, or hand-mining and prospecting, or building camps and cabins around the world-renowned Bowron Lake canoe circuit in the days before it became a provincial park.
His notes and photos from this era became the basis for a book of his stories published in 2000 under "Kicked by a Dead Moose." The collection includes Yukon tales as well as stories from his days in BC.
His voracious appetite for reading produced a wide knowledge on an incredible range of subjects. He was highly-skilled and inventive in his home woodworking shop, turning out everything from furniture and lapidary products, to canoe paddles and other outdoor equipment.
Memorial Gathering
High Country Inn, Whitehorse, February 22, 2008
George is survived by:
His son Mark and wife Katti of Kamloops and their two children Tania and Colin, George's grandchildren
His daughter Dolly Robertson and husband Phil of Whitehorse
His sister Joan Hughes and husband Ellis of Kelowna
His sister Louise Gilbert of Quesnel, BC
His brother Art Gilbert and wife Donna of Quesnel
His long time friend and companion Alma Robinson of Whitehorse
His longtime friend and former wife Eileen and husband Gary Seale of Quesnel
Numerous and much loved nieces and nephews and many friends and former work colleagues
The family appreciates your attendance at this gathering, and extends sincere thanks for your thoughtfulness and support.