From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:
Many Sault Ste. Marie residents contribute to their local community, and one of them was George Feathertone.
Born on February 4, 1904, to Mary Elizabeth McRitchie and Hugh Featherstone, George spent his entire life living in Sault Ste. Marie. Marie. He attended elementary school at Edith Cavell School, spent two years at Sault Collegiate, and finished high school at Sault Tech.
His first job was with the Algoma Central Railway, and he was transferred to Algoma Steel in 1922, where he became an Electrical Foreman.
George was an active member of the Wellington Street Baptist Church for nearly 45 years. During his time as a member of the church, he held the position of treasurer, deacon, and was chairman of the board.
Perhaps the most notable of George Featherstone’s community services was his work with the St. John Ambulance.
Featherstone would form the St. John Nursing Division No. 118 in 1951. Classes were created to train in first aid, which averaged approximately five classes per year.
Over the subsequent five years, approximately 3,500 people in Sault Ste. Marie were trained in first aid, 2,000 of which were at Algoma Steel.
In 1952, George Featherstone was appointed a Serving Brother of the St. John Ambulance, and in 1958, he was made an Officer Brother; both awards were bestowed on George by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen.
In addition to St. John Ambulance, George was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.
In September 1963, George died of a heart attack while on vacation at his summer cottage in Point aux Pins, leaving behind a life of service to his community.
This article was written using information compiled from the Sault Star Archive Collection at the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library.
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