GEORGE, Joseph R. "Joe" - 60, passed away quietly March 27, 2004, in QEII Health Sciences Centre, following a long struggle with chronic lung disease. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Joseph and Dorothy May (Smith) George. As a young man he had a keen interest in sports, having managed the Chester Merchants hockey team for many years, and also umpired softball in the St. Margaret's Bay area for several years. He held three trade certificates, but carpentry was his greatest love. For several years he had his own contracting company and then ended his career as a building inspector with the City of Halifax. He served on the executive of both the Federal and Provincial Progressive Conservative parties, but was most active in the local Chester-St. Margaret's riding. His fondest passion was his gardening, wanting only to get well enough to come home from hospital to plant his flowers. Surviving are his wife, Connie (Baker); daughters, Cheryl Clarke, Enfield; Patricia (Bruce) George-Zwicker, Chester Basin; Theresa, Hubbards; brothers, Leslie, Hubbards; Wayne, Dartmouth; sister, Gloria Staats, Hamilton; half-brother, Dale Young, Tantallon; sister-in-law, Shelley Veinotte, Clearland; grandson, Matthew; special aunt, Joan Smith, Shelburne; uncles, Ivan Smith, Blacks Harbour, N.B.; Bob Smith, Hamilton; aunt, Margaret Fisher, Liverpool; many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by half-brother, Johnny Young; half-sister, Wendy Deforest; special uncle, Gordon Smith (Shelburne), and uncle, Amos (Barrington). Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, in Ronald A. Walker Funeral Home, Hubbards, where memorial service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m., Rev. Jim Greene officiating. Family flowers only, donations may be made in his memory to QEII Foundation. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the family home following the service. Condolences: www.rawalker.ca