George Moro

George Moro was born in Somerpol, Estonian on January 13, 1900. At the young age of four he moved to Canada with his father Karl and mother Marie, along with his two brothers Oscar and August. Their lengthy journey took them all the way to Eckville where they eventually filed for a homestead near the Medicine River.

In 1927, Goerge and his two brothers ventured north in a Model T to the Peace River area. George obtained some land near an area known as Three Creeks; however, the land was covered in dense brush and was deemed too difficult to clear. He settled in the town of Peace River and immediately began work on opening a local sawmill. In 1931, George met Sylvia Ferguson and they eventually had three children: Anne, LaVerne and George Jr.

Eight years later George separated from his wife and moved to an area known as Flatbush and opened another sawmill. It was here that he met and soon married a local woman named Mildred, only to lose her shortly thereafter to cancer.

During the winter of 1944, he bought a three ton truck to haul freight for American soldiers building the Alaska Highway. He worked as a trucker for two years. In 1946, George established West Lawn Lumber with two other partners. Here, he met Anne Milligan and acquired three stepchildren: David, Doug and Helen. In 1958, George diversified his business and transformed his building into a repair shop that specialized in rebuilding sawmill equipment. Two years later he sold the business and went homesteading instead.

Aside from working at sawmills, George had a passion for hunting and fishing in Alberta's vast wilderness and thoroughly enjoyed guiding American hunters during the fall hunting season.

At the age of 74, George retired and moved to Summerland, British Columbia. The Okanagan Valley allowed George to discover the joys of gardening. He grew cherries, apples, grapes and strawberries. He was known by those who visited for his generosity, particularly in sharing his harvest.

At the age of 96, George returned to Alberta to be closer to his family. He resided at the Mayerthorpe Extendicare Facility until he passed away January 21, 2000. George was remembered by friends and family as an enthusiastic and vibrant man with a wonderful sense of humour.