This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Lucian George Bonar, of Cobourg, Ontario, died peacefully on January 16, 2021, at Golden Plough Lodge.
Born in 1934 in Łódź, Poland, young Lucian’s life was shaped by the invasion of Poland and his family’s eighteen-month odyssey through ten countries to Canada, where they settled in Toronto, and he took George as his name.
After George was graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, he proceeded to the University of California at Berkeley to complete his Master of Science in Metallurgy and to Cambridge University, Pembroke College, in England, where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Metallurgical Engineering, defending his doctoral thesis entitled “Precipitation Hardening.”
While at Cambridge, George courted Stephanie Leonard of Toronto and they were married in Toronto on his birthday in June 1963.
George’s career started at Falconbridge Nickel in Toronto. In 1972, he and his family relocated to Greenwich, Connecticut where he ran international sales at Amax Nickel. He returned to Canada in 1981 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Falconbridge. At Eldorado, the largest producer of uranium in the world, he was Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.
In the 1990s, as the Soviet bloc disintegrated after the fall of the Berlin Wall, George raised capital for investment in Poland, and relocated with Stephanie to London and Warsaw, where he built and led International UNP Holdings to privatize and modernize former state-owned enterprises.
George was accomplished in racquet sports, ranked second nationally in junior badminton, and played squash and tennis throughout his life. He loved going to theatre and opera with his family and friends. An insatiable intellect, his greatest pastime was reading history and engaging in discussions of all kinds. He traveled extensively, both for business and pleasure, welcoming the opportunities for personal enrichment, and he never failed to send postcards to his children from all over the world, penning each with a short lesson about the location. His global mindset persisted long after retirement when he supported microlending in developing countries. He retired in Cobourg, Ontario, where he volunteered as a board member for the Art Gallery of Northumberland and the new Northumberland Hills Hospital.
Predeceased by his parents Henryk and Janina, George leaves his beloved wife of 58 years, Stephanie (née Leonard), son Justin (Stacey Daveluy), daughter Daphne (Ian Giggal), grandchildren, Ian McCulloch, George Bonar, Annabel Bonar, and Justin Galullo, sister Wanda O’Hagan (Richard), a nephew and two nieces.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Golden Plough Lodge for the care they provided George in his final year. In lieu of flowers, condolences can be sent to the family, or donations can be made to microlending site Kiva.org/donate in George’s name.
May he rest in peace !
George and I were close friends while we were studying at Pembroke College Cambridge. While I never met Stephanie my heart goes out to her. Today I live in Graham, North Carolina and it would be wonderful to find out what George accomplished after leaving Cambridge. My phone number is 321-474-1708.
Dearest Godmother Stephanie We haven't been in touch for some years now, since my mother's (Joyce) sad and unexpected death in July 2011. I found your name by chance in some paperwork and so googled you and George to see if I could find an email address, only to find that George has now died. I'm so sorry to hear this, he was kind to me when I was an awkward teenager. I'd love to hear from you and send much love and best wishes to you, Justin and Daphne and their families Jessica (in the UK)
So sorry to hear of George’s passing. As a long ago neighbor, I have fond memories of a fine gentleman.
To the entire family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Bonar, as he liked to be called, was a lovely man who always made sure to stop by my office years ago when visiting the bank. He used to tell me stories of his dear family, his travels and any advice he had in the moment. It was always a pleasure when he stopped by.
Dear Stephanie, I was sorry to learn that George had passed away and I am sure you will miss your companion of a lifetime. Please accept my sincere condolences, Nicole
Stephanie, we are all sorry to hear of your loss. My parents send you their best wishes and sincere condolences. Jenifer
Hi Steph So sorry to hear about your loss. I remember you and George were so nice to Sue and I when we visited you in London , many years ago. I also see George was born in Łódź in Poland .I visited there many years ago to buy textiles . It was then under communist rule and the people suffered much Our Port Hope pals Cathie and Dave Ross are dear friends and am sure you know them Hope to see u when we. Visit them Blessings Joe
George and I were friends at University of Toronto. We haven't seen each other for decades. I'm sorry he's gone. He was fun to be with.
Dear Steph and family, I am thinking of you at this really challenging time and sending you my sympathy. We haven't seen each other in many years. You are in my heart.
Stephanie, So sorry to hear about George. You have weathered the ups and downs together, an example for us all. Our prayers are for you and the family. Sincerely, Graham and Gay
Stephanie my sincere condolences to you and your family.
George, I met you 38 years ago when I arrived in Toronto. You became my mentor and friend. You always displayed your smarts and intelligence through a gentle manner. Even when you were in a position of power with tremendous responsibility you modeled kindness and care for the individual human being. I was lucky to have been one of those persons. You will be forever in my memory. I am honored to have befriended you. Let God now have you in his care. My deepest condolences to Stephanie, Justin, Daphne and Wanda.
Dear Stephanie, “engaging in discussions of all kinds” indeed. What a raconteur and what a life! Sincere condolences, Peter & Carole
Dear Stephanie, Jeremy and I were so sorry to read of George’s death. I know that the last years were difficult but we cherish the memories of so many good times especially when the two of you first welcomed us to Toronto. I would love to be in touch with you. I don’t have your email. Please contact me when you can. George was such a force. Even ill as he was in his late chapters the earth seems diminished without him on it.sending love, Xxo jean
Oh George! May you Rest In Peace and may your laughter brings joy to the heavens. May you know you are home now and reconnect with all your friends and loved ones who have crossed over. Miss you!
I worked with George in the Amax Nickel Division for a number of years. George was a very capable and aggressive marketer of our nickel, copper, and cobalt products. I learned a lot during those years, much of it from George. George was a proud man, and he encouraged us to take pride too in the work we were doing alongside one another in that nascent undertaking. Blessings to Stephanie and George's extended family as well.
January 22, 2021 I worked with George in building International UNP Holdings LTD 1989-1991. It was a great joy to work with and know him. It was an honor to be his friend. Sincere condolences to Stephanie and family. Rest in Peace, dear George. Bill Hudson Friend
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kiva
Dear Stephanie, Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Jim and Judy
My condolences to the family. I only met George a few times but found him a generous host with a truly welcoming smile.
I offer my condolences to the family and friends of George. He was an admirable gentleman and excellent squash player who was such a worthy opponent.
Dear Daphne and Ian , We are so sorry to hear from Gail on the passing of your father George . Please accept our family's sincere condolences for your loss which we also extend to all your family . Your dad certainly led a very accomplished and whole life with values much to be admired . May God grant you and all your family strength to cope at this difficult time Much love and blessings . Alan & Barbara Merritt and family .
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Daphne.
Justin Stacey and Family sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. Joe & Bernie Abbagnaro
Dear Daphne, we are very sorry to hear of your father's passing. We met George several times over the course of the last decades. He was always so joyous, pleasant and indeed curious of the people he met and his surroundings. Who can have a genially interested long discussion on planter watering systems attached to a a fence ? He did, during a visit to our backyard. With this note, we are also reaching out to Stephanie and offer our sincere condolences as well as Ian, their grandchild, and Ian Giggal. We are very sorry about this sad news. Many hugs.
So sorry to hear of your loss . My sincerest condolences to you and your family. In my prayers . Giancarlo and il poNte family.
George's superb business judgment was a great contribution to the volunteer engagements he took on.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kiva
Justin, We are so sorry for your loss. Your father must have been a hero in your life. My advice to you is to remember the good times which were plentiful in your history. We will be thinking of you and I will be praying for you and your family. Marie and Chris
The Bonars and the Vasilkiotis were friends for many years. Visits, meals, special occasions were part of our shared experiences. George and Frank raised money for UNP and travelled together. They are both gone now, but their memories are a blessing. Much love and condolences to Stephanie, Justin and Daphne and extended family.
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. After reading his story I also mourn this world’s loss of a truly great man.
Please except our sincere condolences during this trying period. From dust to dust. We live and move on to another place, free of all earthly tribulations. May your father’s life be celebrated as it should be. May you continue on living your life honoring his.
So sorry to hear .
My sincere condolences to the Bonar and extended families. Although I did not know him, I can see he lived an accomplished and full life.
Stephanie and Daphne, our condolences to you in this loss. George was a force. We were fortunate to meet him, and wish we could have known him better. xo
Really sorry to hear of Lucien George's death. Whilst it might have been expected, it is always a shock when it happens. He certainly led a very productive and generous life. Offering you our sincerest sympathy at this sad time. Paul and Linda Carey - friends of Justin in Palmer Landing.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on your loss. We have so many happy memories meeting George and Stephanie at Justin and Stacey's wedding and YYZ Bermuda race sailing celebrations. Stephanie, Justin, Stacey and the entire family will be in our thoughts.
Sorry for your loss -- thank you for sharing part of his story here.
I am so sorry for your loss & you are in my thoughts. I find it very sweet to learn your parents were married on your fathers birthday. Rixa
Dear Daphne, I’m so very sorry about your dad’s passing. Although I never met him, he sounded like a lovely person. Sending my deepest condolences. Juanita
Sending our deepest condolences to Stephanie, Justin, Stacey and the entire family. It was our pleasure to meet George and Stephanie in Bermuda and toast to YYZ. How proud they were of YYZ and their son, Captain Justin. May George Rest In Peace.