Tatham, George Matheson (Died)

TATHAM, George Matheson: 5 June 1927 – 11 December 2009 (died at home, in Guelph, ON)

Born in Woodstock, Ontario, George was the second son of Charles (“C.O.”) Tatham and Anna J. J. Murray, both of whom were “newspaper” people. He began his own newspaper career at 17, at The Sarnia Observer (during which time he also played football with the Sarnia Imperials). He continued in sports and general reporting, and sports editing, at The London Free Press, and with Canadian Press at The Windsor Star, and in Toronto. In 1950, he began 18 years as publisher and owner of The Listowel Banner, in his father’s native town; his ingenuity and energy made it a national prize-winning publication, and him the president of Canada’s weekly newspaper society. He was a director for three years of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Seeking new challenges, George sold the Banner in 1968 and moved to Waterloo, ON, then London, to further his education. In 1972, he and family moved to Guelph, where he bought the Peerless Machine and Tool Company, and, for the following 21 years, was a founding director and vice-president of the board of Kenhar (the free world’s largest manufacturer of fork-lift blades). In 1977, after the first of his major illnesses, he took the Ontario Securities Course, and consolidated his entrepreneurial skills as a stockbroker for Scotia McLeod until his early retirement in 1990. George was a Rotarian for almost 60 years, and a charter member of the Guelph-Wellington Rotary Club. He was part of the United Church of Canada from infancy, and an avid golfer wherever he lived (including at Guelph’s Cutten Club), and a proud member of the Guelph-Wellington Men’s Club. As health problems began to limit his international and local travels, he heightened his weeks by sharing his glorious sense of humour with fellow “Romeos” – “Retired Old Men Eating Out”— on a regular basis. Known to all for his integrity, astounding generosity, and optimistic love of almost every adventure he encountered, George became a role model for unassuming courage as his medical problems grew more numerous. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, (Dr.) M. Ruth (Bell) Tatham, and children James (“Jamie”) of Vancouver, Toronto and Guelph (children Catherine and Julia, and their mother, Kerstin, of Vancouver), (Dr.) Nancy (partner Donna Henderson) of Kingston, ON, and Charles (“Chuck”) (wife Joanne and children Trevor and Nicholas) of Beverly Hills; and by cherished friend (Dr.) Isabela (“Iz”) Jakubowski, of Collingwood, ON. He is survived also by siblings Charlie (Millie) of Powell River, BC, Margaret Lumsden of Canmore, AB, Sidford (Marnie) of Woodstock, ON, and Elizabeth (Ian) Davis of Grand Bend, ON, and 17 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister Ellen, nephews Andrew and Matt Tatham, and brother-in-law Bill Lumsden. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for George will be held in mid-February at Harcourt Memorial United Church, Guelph; details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to any registered charity that helps to provide a better Christmas for those in need. Arrangements entrusted to the GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph (519-824-0031). We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com