Longtime harness racing industry participant Dr. George Albert 'George' Irving passed away on December 14, 2018 at the age of 88.
Born in Rexton, NB he was the son of the late George R. E. and Evelyn (Wright) Irving. George graduated from University of Toronto, Ontario Veterinary College in 1959 and immediately began a 31-year career with New Brunswick Department of Agriculture's Provincial Veterinary Service. He was the co-founder of Elmwood Veterinary Clinic and Community Animal Hospital. In his youth, he was an accomplished athlete and was the goaltender for the Ontario Agricultural/Veterinary College varsity team who won the 1958 Ontario provincial university championship.
He was a proud member of the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and he served on the CVMA executive for several years. He also sat on the Council On Education for the American Veterinary Medical Association. George was on the board of the Moncton SPCA and over the years several committees related to Atlantic harness racing.
Aside from his professional interests, he and Doreen spent hours advocating for children with hearing loss.
George's greatest passion was horse racing. He was involved in every aspect of the Standardbred horse industry. He served as director for the Maritimes at the United States Trotting Association for many years. He was introduced to horse racing by his father and drove in his first race at 16 years of age. This would be the start of a long history in breeding, raising, training, and racing Standardbreds. His love of harness racing was one activity he could still enjoy through print and simulcasting as his health deteriorated.
Among his notable horses were Atlantic Sires Stakes performers the likes of Elmwood, Elmwood Glenn, three-time Moncton Horse of The Year Elmwood Time, AtSS champion trotters Pack Baron and Kings Derby (owned with son George and Mike Gay) as well as Buddywhathisname and Final Balance (with the One Black Horse Stable partnership).
He is survived by his wife Doreen (Aldrich) of Riverview, N.B.; their children George (Suzanne) of Moncton, N.B., Ruth (Garth Henry) of Russell, Ont., Ian (Deanna Simpson) of Victoria, B.C., Bruce of Brampton, Ont., Glenn of Moncton, N.B. and Kirk (Michelle Miron) of Waterloo, Ont.; grandchildren: Julia, George, Collin, Cameron, Callum, Owen, Noah, Aila, Oliver; two great-grandchildren; his brother Ron Irving (Daphne) of York Point, P.E.I. and sisters-in-law Martha Aldrich of Moncton, N.B. and Ardys Aldrich (Dan) of Rhode Island. Sadly, he was predeceased by his grandson Porter.
The family would like to thank the staff of Parkland, Riverview for the compassionate care their father received while he lived there. We are also grateful to Bob Roach and Shirley and Herb Keirstead for their unwavering companionship and support.
The family will host a reception from the Salisbury Funeral Home, 3350 Route 106, Salisbury on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Interment at Fair Haven Memorial Gardens, Moncton.
Donations may be made, in George's memory, to the Moncton SPCA, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, or a charity of choice.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dr. George Irving.