Eulogy of George Ellis McCay
1919-2000

George Ellis McCay was born in Bismarck, ND on Feb. 15th, 1919 to George & Mary McCay. He was one of four children and the last of his family to pass away.

He was raised in ND for about the first 13 years of his life before the family was advised to move to a different climate for the health of one of his sisters. The family then moved to CA.

Following his completion of high school, George joined the US Navy with the intention of serving one term - 4 years. However, like many people, he did not count on war breaking out and when it did, it meant that his term was extended. In fact, George must of extended his term many times as he spent 30 years in the United States Navy rising from the ranks of an enlisted sailor to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 when he retired from the Navy in 1969 at only 49 years of age.

In 1941 while serving on aboard the USS Salt Lake City, he met Iris in Brisbane at the Blind Institute. They met on a Tue. and he proposed to Iris on the Friday, planning to get married on his return.

As stated before, war broke out and it was not until April, 1944 that George and Iris were eventually married and had two children, Cheryl & Edward.

During his time in the Navy, George traveled the world extensively, especially in the Pacific region and the Mediterranean. Following his retirement from the Navy, he went back to a University and got his degree and then took up teaching.

Throughout their life in America, George always quoted to Iris the title of a popular song, "I'll take you home again Kathleen" with the intention that one day he would take Iris back home to Australia. He eventually did this around 1970 when via military flights they arrived in Sydney and came north looking for a place where they could enjoy water sport in winter.

They came to Cairns, shown a block at Holloway's Beach and bought it. Over the next few years they continued coming back to Cairns every year improving their block of ground and building their home. George being a jack of all trades, would even get in and help the builders when he was out here. It was not until 1983 that the move was permanent.

George Ellis McCay, who passed away on Sat., July 8th, 2000, was a wonderful husband, father and friend to many, will be missed by Iris, Cheryl, Ward and his many friends.