Peacefully, at the age of 83 with his family by his side George Petrus DeGraeve passed away, Tuesday September 15th, 2015 at the Tiger Hills Health Center after a lengthy illness. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Rene (Shelley), Rita (Murray Ennis), Judy (Flo Mangin), Jim (Teri) & Sherry (Jim Rutherford). His sixteen grandchildren Chris (Cheryll), Brad (Kara) and Kelsey DeGraeve; Kelly (Ryan) and Derek Ennis; Jamie (Sheri), Ryan (Jill), Steven (Cindy) and Jenna (Jeremie) Mangin; Autumn, Nathaniel, Zachary and Kindal DeGraeve; Kailee, Lindsey and Connor Rutherford. He also leaves 10 great grandchildren. He leaves two stepchildren Dan & Laura (Roy) Henry, who he thought of as his own. As well, he leaves a special friend, Madelyn who was by his side right to the end. Also survived by his sisters-in-law Carol and Shirley; brothers-in-law Eddie, Erle and Mert, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley (nee Regner) in 1980 and daughter Barbara Anne in1968; his parents Cyril & Georgette, brother Marcel, sisters Yvonne Kingdon & Agnes Nichols; in-laws Jack & Lola Regner and one sister-in-law Claire. George was born August 26th, 1932 in Swan Lake, MB the eldest of four children to Cyril & Georgette. In 1948 the family moved to Holland. In the spring of 1953 he met Shirley Regner and they married on September 17th the same year. They were blessed with six children. George worked many jobs during his life including being a chauffeur, working at Scharff's Funeral Home, trucking, land clearing and farming. His main love came when he started working as a pipe fitter in Winnipeg, which eventually led to him starting the family plumbing business in Holland. In his retirement George began caretaking and making ice at arenas in Holland, Swan Lake & Treherne. This was a great fit for him as he was such a social person who loved visiting with people. Family was always number one with George and his greatest joys came from attending family gatherings, where he could often be found sitting with grandchildren telling stories of days gone by and many life lessons were shared. He cherished this time with family and his presence at these get togethers will be greatly missed. George would often drive to his kids places in the evening for a visit and just to catch up on what everyone was doing. He looked forward to harvest where you could find him out at the Mangin farm riding in a grain truck or combine into the wee hours with the excuse he had to keep his grandsons wake. He was quite the "foreman" often found on the job sites where Rene & Jim were busy plumbing, and most recently at Judy & Flo's new house making sure that everyone was doing what they were supposed to be. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 21st, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Holland Community Centre with Sandra Rex officiating. Private family interment will take place at St.John Berchmans Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to: Tiger Hills Health Center,