Obituary of Major the Reverend George Youmatoff

Major (Rtd), the Reverend George Youmatoff, STh, CD, Order of the Red Star. George Youmatoff passed away peacefully on September 27th, 2013,in his 96th year. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Florence Mary Winnifred (Leeson) Youmatoff of Bayfield, Ontario and survived by his beloved wife Thelma Elaine (Terry) Boa-Youmatoff of Goderich. He is lovingly remembered by his daughters Olga (Geordie) Palmer and Theo (George) Bruce, his step-children Heather Boa and Keith (Louise) Boa and Lindsay Boa. He lives on in the lives of his 10 grandchildren, Kate Mackenzie, Judy Mackenzie, Ian (Rachel) Mackenzie, Christopher (Paulette) Bruce, Colin (Danielle) Mackenzie, Jamie (Joelle) Mackenzie, Andrew (Kelly) Bruce, Christina Bruce, Rob Bruce, Krista (Brian) LeClair; and remembered as Papa to his 15 great-grandchildren, Connor Mackenzie, Ethan Mackenzie, Joshua Mackenzie, Cameron Bruce, Aidan Mackenzie, Graeme Bruce, Liam Mackenzie, Malcolm Mackenzie, Ava Mackenzie, Philip Mackenzie, William Bruce, Chiara Bruce, Brock Mackenzie, Bella Bruce, Natalie Bruce. He is remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews from the Doull and Leeson families. He shipped overseas with the first Canadian Detachment for service in the Canadian Army during WWII. He served initially in the 6th Hussars and was then assigned as a dispatch rider, Armoured Corps. He graduated from Sandhurst as an Armoured Corps officer with the Belt of Honour. He was seconded to British Intelligence and served as a liason officer to the Soviet Military Mission. He continued to serve in the Military after war's end and following his retirement from a distinguished career in the Canadian Intelligence Corps, he was ordained as an Anglican priest. After two years in the Parish of St. Mark's Hardisty, Alberta, he re-entered the Armed Forces and served as a Military Chaplain in Edmonton, Shilo, the Congo, Valcartier & Clinton until his retirement from the military in 1972. He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion and was the Legion Chaplain at Branch 140 in Clinton for many years. He was the Rector at the parish of Trinity Anglican Church, Bayfield and St. James, Middleton (1971-1975), and at the parishes of St. Johns and St. Luke's in Brantford (1974-1976). He retired from full-time ministry in 1977. His many friends and parishioners remember him fondly. He was very active in the Bayfield community for many years. He had a passion for music which he shared with his wife Terry and was gifted with a wonderful singing voice. He was thrilled that so many of his children, grand-children and great-grand-children shared his love of music. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, and tried to never miss a Blue Jays game. A Celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, Bayfield, Ontario, on Saturday, October 12th, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to "The Memorial Fund" at Trinity Anglican Church, Bayfield or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. "Rest Eternal grant unto him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him." "Well done thou good and faithful servant."