George Coward

1910 - 2007

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of LINC COWARD on Sunday, June 24th, 2007 at the age of 97 years. He was predeceased by his first wife Hazel and second wife Jessie, brothers Ed, Harold and sister Evelyn. Lovingly remembered by his three children Harold(Rachel), Beverley, Bernice (Larry), 11 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Woodrow (Ellen), numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

Born Feb 20, 1910 in Winnipeg, Man, Linc attended school in Calgary and established a successful service station business during the depression years. In 1938 he enlisted as a officer in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and was sent overseas in 1939 where he served for the duration of WW II. After taking release in 1946, Linc served as a DVA counselor in Calgary before joining the British Canadian Trust Co. in Lethbridge in 1948 where he served as Accountant and Controller. When BC Trust was purchased by Canada Trust in the late 1950s, Linc was made Manager of Mortgage and Real Estate until retirement in 1975.

Linc established the Real Estate Board of Lethbridge and was elected its first President. He also served as President of the Real Estate Assn of Alberta and VP of the Real Estate Association of Canada. A Life Member of the Lethbridge Kiwanis Club, Linc was elected President, served on the International Committee (Chicago) and, with Hazel, was active in the organization of the Lethbridge Music Festival for many years. An active United Church member, Linc was Superintendent of the Sunday School and sang in the Choir at Southminister United, and then became a founding member of McKillop United Church, where he Chaired the Board of Stewards when the church was being built. Linc also established and led the Boy Scouts at Southminister and was appointed Commissioner of Boy Scouts for the Lethbridge area.

In retirement Linc became an avid golfer and belonged to both the Country Club and the Henderson Lake golf courses. He spent winters golfing in Mesa Arizona for some 20 years.

As a business man Linc's greatest joy was to help new immigrants to the Lethbridge area overcome financial problems and buy their own homes. In later years he and Hazel spent much time in visiting elderly and shut-in friends, taking them flowers or baking. Linc's last few years were lived at Columbia Assisted Living and ""going to work"" at ""Bridges"".

The family would like to thank staff members and friends at both Columbia Assisted Living and Bridges for their kindness and love shown to Linc during his last days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #207, 542 - 7 Street South, Lethbridge, AB.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 - 15 Ave South, Lethbridge.