The white lie: David was born in 1948, not 1949. Those who guessed wrong owed a $1 donation to RCO CF.
In Memory: George Farrow
Introduction — Susan Sheppard
Susan described George as a grandfather, architect, community advocate, Rotarian, and far more besides. She remembered him for encouraging people — in particular around Indigenous engagement within Rotary — and for his leadership qualities. Susan met George two years ago on her birthday at District Conference while closing her year as Oakville West President.
George arrived with Miss Lizzy, his beloved automobile. Shortly afterward, George enlisted Susan to join the 100th Anniversary Celebrations team and help build awareness of 100 years of Rotary service in Oakville; she wrote an article for the Oakvillean and its publisher asked her to write a piece about George. She interviewed him for the story, discovered he was also an author and subsequently, Susan gave her grandchildren autographed copies of his Miss Lizzy book. Susan then passed the floor to two Rotarians who knew George well, prefaced by a video tribute created by Amaka.
Tribute — Gary Comerford
Gary opened by saying that an Irishman’s life is judged by the stories he can tell — and that with George there are more stories than could possibly be shared in one evening.
He first met George in June 1981 at the Rotary Lobster Fest at the arena downtown, where Bob Stone was sponsoring Gary into the club. George was in the back with the lobster pots; the following year Gary was right there beside him, boiling 3,500 lbs of lobster.
A Christmas lunch tradition began around 1983 for a group of Rotarians working in downtown Toronto — George among them. Around 1986–1987, the gathering was at the University Club, where George was a member. George had forgotten he was hosting and arrived in a rush, but was immediately “front and center, holding court.” Gary noted he headed back to the office at 2 p.m. while most others stayed well into the afternoon and took taxis home.
George’s word was legacy — he said it often. His fingerprints are on enterprises across Oakville: Normandy Place, Rotary Gardens, Stewart Street. Residents knew George was there for them, constantly.
Gary nominated George as the first President of the RCO Foundation — confident he was the best person to steer it in the right direction.
George and Gary disagreed more often than people might think, Gary said, but they always found a resolution. The legacy George leaves, in Gary’s view, is one of trust — and of the Foundation itself, which Gary hopes will continue to honour the work done by so many to build it.
Tribute — George Vincent
George Vincent opened with a reference to The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey — its subtitle being “Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy behind” — and noted George Farrow seemed to have lived the book his whole life.
He called George a Renaissance man — architect, cook, connoisseur of food, dreamer.
His motto was effectively “build it and they will come.”
George Vincent remembered visiting George the day after he first came out of hospital. They went out and George immediately asked the restaurant whether they could make a proper Greek salad — one without lettuce.
George adored his grandchildren.
A memorable trademark: George’s diary system — a week-at-a-glance organizer plus a folder — was famously enormous.
Announcements
Golf Tournament — George Vincent
A planning meeting was held earlier that day. Approximately 84 of the 120 target golfer registrations are in — good progress, but keep spreading the word.
