In the 20 or so years George Hurst worked for the Town of View Royal, he was responsible for the development of a number of parks within its bounds.

So it seems fitting that the very last piece of green space that Hurst helped create will soon be officially designated as a memorial in his honour. View Royal council has approved the naming of the park at the northwest corner of Island Highway and Helmcken Road as GeorgeB次元官网网址檚 Corner Park. It has been unofficially known as GeorgeB次元官网网址檚 Park for some time, but the move makes the name change official.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great recognition,B次元官网网址� said View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst, GeorgeB次元官网网址檚 son. B次元官网网址淎s painful as it is to lose your father, itB次元官网网址檚 great to drive by that intersection every day and see the sign. ItB次元官网网址檚 a pretty big honour for the family.B次元官网网址�

George Hurst passed away in July 2015 and was celebrated afterward with what Coun. John Rogers recalled as a B次元官网网址渟ignificant memorial serviceB次元官网网址� at the Four Mile Pub.

The man who, as parks foreman, took parks into the TownB次元官网网址檚 realm after its incorporation back in 1988 was also a volunteer firefighter and had many friends and acquaintances.

B次元官网网址淗e connected and interacted with so many people in the community,B次元官网网址� Paul said. B次元官网网址淚 talk to people all the time who say they knew dad or worked with him. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back B次元官网网址� he was tough as nails, but he was also full of compassion for people.B次元官网网址�

While serving as parks foreman for the Town was his last official job before he retired, George Hurst served 25 years in the military, including stints overseas and in Vietnam. He later was a B.C. sheriff and also looked after fire security at Victoria General Hospital.

Rogers said it made sense to declare this previously nameless park B次元官网网址� it is roughly 10 years old B次元官网网址� as a living memorial to the longtime dedicated staffer.

B次元官网网址淭he whole relevance is that he took the initiative and recommended that we acquire the lot, as it had fallen into significant disrepair,B次元官网网址� Rogers said, noting the lot was formerly home to a group of businesses including a barber shop and the Betty Ann Bakery. B次元官网网址淲e wanted to do something to mark his contributions to the Town and the parks department.B次元官网网址�

Paul Hurst, who wears his fatherB次元官网网址檚 dog tags around his neck as a reminder, said the intersection also has relevance in that George bought his first home in View Royal kitty corner from the existing park.

B次元官网网址淚 think heB次元官网网址檇 think it was pretty cool,B次元官网网址� Paul said of the park naming. B次元官网网址淗e was the kind of guy who didnB次元官网网址檛 seek out recognition, he just quietly did his thing.B次元官网网址�

As someone who knows the layout of the View Royal community like the back of his hand, the chief said he gets a kick out of passing by certain trees and plants that his father personally placed in ground. The care George took in beautifying the community will always be remembered this way, he added.

B次元官网网址淭his is a nice gesture by mayor and council,B次元官网网址� Paul said. B次元官网网址淧eople retire and they get their (going away) lunch, but to have your fatherB次元官网网址檚 name on a signpost, itB次元官网网址檚 locked in, there it is.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com