George Waters, A Very Fine Friend of Fort York

Sadly, George Waters passed away on 3 December 2013, aged 73, at Brampton Civic Hospital. He is mourned by his wife Ella, sons David and Stephen, and four grandchildren, Lauren, Ben, Lukas, and Evelyn. He’ll be missed also by all those involved with Fort York. Certainly he led a life worth celebrating.

George was connected with Fort York for an amazing fifty years. He got his start during university, working summers as a uniformed interpreter. Upon graduation from Victoria College with a B.Sc., he took a permanent position as the fort’s curator. Later he was appointed deputy director of the Toronto Historical Board, which operated the fort. Scott James, his boss there, recalls relying on his knowledge, administrative skills, and calm and steady demeanour. George retired in 1999 as managing director for the Board, by then known informally as Heritage Toronto.

He joined The Friends of Fort York in 1996 as one of our original directors and always gave us his best advice and energies. He was our collective memory, having had more experience at the fort than the rest of us combined. Besides his work with The Friends, he was vice-chair of the Fort York Management Board until City Council disbanded it, and a member of the board of Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives in Brampton. For twenty-five years George was a Cub Scout leader. He took a role in the Bible Class at his church for forty-five years, the last two decades as its leader.

George understood the crucial value to Fort York of developing volunteer support. In our early years The Friends of Fort York wished to embark on a venture full of risk for a group made up mostly of retirees: the production of a weekend-long historical re-enactment. We set out our vision of an event involving 200 to 300 re-enactors camping at the fort. They would be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner; visitors could buy beer, hamburgers, and other foods. Everything was to be managed and operated by volunteers. Understandably, those running the fort saw the risks of failure and didn’t want to participate. To his credit, George listened to his staff and supported their decision. But equally, he understood the importance of our venture and, as managing director of Heritage Toronto, cleared us to proceed on our own. Supported by many family members and volunteers from local communities The Friends staged Fort York Festivals annually for four years. In the first year, with a bit of bravado, we even barbecued an 800 lb side of beef to feed one and all. In the last year we staged a re-enactment of the landing of the American forces in 1813. Involving 450 re-enactors and five tall ships it attracted an audience of approximately 5000 spectators at Kew Beach. George and Ella Waters participated as volunteers at each festival including much hands-on work in the fort’s kitchen.

Farewell George.