George Sanderson was born in Montreal to parents George Anthony and Lucile (Leblanc) Sanderson; he shared his youth with three siblings, Sylvia, Geri and Steve.

There were several loves in my father's early life.  He loved reading science fiction.  At an early age he wrote well, with a maturity that belied his years and with a sense of humour that characterized his whole life.  His other early love was summers spent at Grippen Lake, a small spring-fed lake outside Kingston, Ontario.  The times spent on that lake fishing, swimming and playing within that little community left a lifelong impression on my father.

During his teen years, my father worked in a small pharmacy located near his home in Montreal.  He studied Geology at McGill University and was editor of the Newman Club Magazine Tolle Lege.  A friend of his, Warren Allmand, warmly described the small university that he attended in Antigonish, Nova Scotia - St. Francis Xavier.  My father decided to attend that university, receiving a BA in Philosophy in 1958 and making many friends in the process.  So he spent summers working as a geologist in Labrador and winters studying Philosophy at St.F.X.

While studying at St. F.X. my father was president of the Canadian Federation of Catholic College Students, and in this capacity he discovered the great love of his life, Gertrude Kearns, who happened to be the vice-president of the same organization.

My parents were married on October 1, 1960 and proceeded to travel and study together in Europe.  My mother studied French and Spanish, my father studied Philosophy, and they thrived on their life together.  My parents returned to Antigonish, to teach at St.F.X. and to raise a family.  They had two sons Eric (born 1968) and Brendan (born 1969).

For over twenty-five years my father was editor of The Antigonish Review, a small literary quarterly that promoted the works of Maritime authors and artists.  Its reputation spread until it was recognized as one of the best literary magazines in Canada.  The success of The Antigonish Review has to be largely attributed to the dynamism of its editorial team, consisting of George (editor) and Gertrude (managing editor) Sanderson.

My father was responsible for many accomplishments, some recognized and others not; however, it can never be emphasized enough how much laughter he brought to people's lives.  My father's idea of a conversation consisted of a large dose of humour and a small dose of wisdom.  Sometimes those proportions were reversed.  My father's summers at Grippen Lake left him with a lasting love of the idea of community.  That love of community characterized his intense desire to try to help people in need, and to share his humour with anyone who might need it.  His latest project, working with Voices, epitomized his sense of community and his desire to support those around him.

My father led a life full of love, humour and hope, all of which he shared generously.

He will be much missed.

Eric Sanderson