George Neville Fernando, a kind soul and one of the gentlest people you will ever meet, passed away peacefully early in the morning of February 22, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones. George’s warmth and kindness touched the lives of everyone he met and his passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. George is survived by his two children Melissa and Kushan.

George was born to Robert George and Rupawathi on March 16, 1942 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The second oldest of seven siblings, George served as the moral compass of the family. George had a special bond with his siblings, Shelton, Denzil, Winston, Terence, Rienzie and his younger sister Princey. He made the effort to keep in touch with them even though they lived on separate continents.

George attended high school at Wesley College in Colombo and then went on to pursue post-secondary education at Aquinas University where he obtained a law degree. George met Siromi at Aquinas University where they were both law students. They were married in 1970 and were together for 52 years. George and Siromi shared a love of the arts, books and music that brought them closer together.

George began his career as a management trainee at Standard Chartered Bank in Colombo. He then went on to complete a post-graduate business degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Always looking to expand his horizons, he ventured to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 1981 where he had a successful career in Audit at the British Bank of the Middle East. When presented with the opportunity to come to North America, he took a leap of faith and moved to Mississauga in 1991, where he had a successful career in Audit at the Bank of Nova Scotia.

In his latter years, George developed a very keen interest in Vipassana meditation and would often attend long meditation retreats steeped in silence and reflection at the Vipassana Meditation Centre in Barrie.

George enjoyed spending time outdoors in the garden and listening to Opera music. George and Siromi shared a love of music and enjoyed attending concerts together.

Always up for an adventure, George and Siromi also loved to travel to exotic places, such as Iceland, Spain, Egypt, Australia, Africa and of course back to their country of origin Sri Lanka.

A strong proponent of social justice and charitable causes, George often spent time at the West End Buddhist temple participating in meditation, Buddhist discussions and supported the charitable causes that the temple was involved in.

Geroge was a loving and caring grandfather to his three grandchildren, Mark, Paul and Noah who were the light of his life. Known for his infectious laugh and sense of humour, George leaves behind a legacy of joy that will echo on the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Although George’s physical journey has come to an end, the spirit of adventure that he embodied will forever live on in our hearts. From humble beginnings in Sri Lanka to Bay St. George showed us the art of the possible and the world is a poorer place without him.