Tribute

It is with heavy hearts that the family of George Karpinsky announce his passing. He went peacefully, surrounded by family in a home full of love, on January 11, 2022, aged 77 years.

He is predeceased by his parents, Rudolph and Johanna Karpinsky, and his brother, Bill, and sister, Margie.

George leaves behind his loving wife of 57 years, Diane Karpinsky, as well as his daughters, Kim (Brad), Kandice (Chuck). Krystn (Dean), granddaughters, Kaylie (Jason), Lynsie (Steve), Tia, Meriah, and Mandy, great granddaughter, Avery, brother, Harry (Terry), and sister, (Irene), as well as his nieces and nephews.

George grew up in Winnipeg where he worked in the printing business, later on continuing his career in Penticton for a total of 45 years in that profession. He was a hard worker and took pride in providing for his wife and children. Never one to sit still, he kept himself busy with volunteer work with multiple different organizations including helping out at the Oliver Food Bank and with the soup kitchen and bulletin at his church, as well as fulfilling the role of Membership Chair with the Sportsman’s Association.

Over the years, George and his wife Diane travelled many places around the world, but the highlight for them would have to be their trip to Israel, where they walked where Jesus once walked and visited the place of his birth. As a Seventh Day Adventist, George’s faith was a very big part of who he was and it shone through in his character and all the ways he found to help others throughout his life.

George had many hobbies and interests and in his younger years particularly loved the outdoors, be it hunting, camping, fishing, or skiidoing. He was also a big fan of shopping, sales, and talking your ear off, and if he could talk your ear off about shopping and sales he was one happy man. His greatest passion post retirement, however, was his garden, and once he got started it seemed like it got bigger every year. He worked very hard out there, but with so much enthusiasm and joy that he was never too tired to then come in and talk about it for hours too. He grew food not only for his family and friends but also to donate to the Oliver Food Bank, and throughout the years supplied them with a significant amount of fresh produce.

For all that he loved his garden though, nothing made him happier than spending time with his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed greatly by those he has left behind.

There will be a quiet family gathering in his memory at a later date. We would like to thank Dr Smallwood, the nurses and staff at the Oliver Hospital, and the nurses and home care workers with Community Palliative Care, who all took such great care of him.