Veteran councillor sure to be missed - George Hawksworth remembered for the thoughtful, civil qualities he brought to municipal government

By Sandor Gyarmati

His many qualities, including his thoughtfulness and intelligence, will be missed.

That's how current and former Delta council colleagues feel about George Hawksworth, the longtime civic councillor who died suddenly Monday at the age of 70.

Hawksworth was first elected to Delta council in 1990. After serving four terms, he retired in 2002, only to return in 2005. Throughout his time on council, and the changing political landscape, he set himself apart in the way he approached the plethora of issues and sometimes heated debates.

Hawksworth was recognized as the councillor who could always bring an element of civility and intelligence to the discussions, said Mayor Lois Jackson.

"He was always very calm, which is unusual in politicians, and very intelligent. He was an analytical thinker. He looked at everything from all sides and was a real team player as well," said Jackson.

"He loved working with people in the community and with organizations such as the Ladner Business Association. I had appointed him chair of the harbour redevelopment committee. He was one of the original members on the Delta treaty committee, and he never backed away from a hard task, doing all his research very thoroughly, and he solved the difficult problems."

Former councillor Krista Engelland said he was well liked and respected by everyone. She said Delta was fortunate to have someone like him serve the community so unselfishly.

"He always did his homework and researched every issue thoroughly. I always appreciated that he listened to everyone's points of view," said Engelland.

Saying it's hard to believe he's gone, Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington, who served several terms with Hawksworth on council, believes his background as an educator was an invaluable asset.

"He could take an issue, and he would do that regularly at the council table, and he would explain what it was we were doing at the table so people could understand the complexity of the discussion and what staff were proposing," said Huntington.

"He was always able to educate people about the issues, which is important. He was a good teacher and had that gift as an educator and he would use that so wisely at the table."

Delta North MLA Guy Gentner, a former council member who also served with Hawksworth, said the late councillor deserved the high degree of respect he had at the council table and in the community.

"The best way I could describe George Hawksworth is that he was kind of the teddy bear of municipal government. He was a lovable guy and he was a consensus builder. He was able to tie loose ends and he was able to find common ground on council when we were split in different directions.

"He was there for almost 20 years, which is an era. He was there for several different changeovers in municipal government, but he was able to work with all. He had an inquisitive ear and he was an eloquent spokesperson," Gentner said.

Longtime council member Bruce McDonald, who ran with Hawksworth several times, including the last municipal election, remembers his friend and colleague as an analyst when it came to the issues.

Hawksworth was first elected with then mayor Beth Johnson and her IDEA slate in 1990. By the last election two years ago, IDEA and the other political groups that had backed counncillors in 1990 were long gone, while allegiances had shifted several times. Council is currently comprised entirely of independents. Through all the changes, Hawksworth could always be counted on for his sensible approach, said McDonald.

"The biggest thing for me was that he was also his own man. George never, ever had anyone tell him how to vote. I'm sure people told him but none of that meant anything. George made his own mind up about what he thought were the values and appropriateness of anything. There was not a political calculation involved," said McDonald.

MEMORIAL SERVICE SET FOR TUESDAY:

A memorial service in celebration of Coun. George Hawksworth's life will be held at the South Delta Baptist Church, 1988-56th St., Tsawwassen, on Thursday, April 1 at 2 p.m. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

© The Delta Optimist 2010