On December 2, 2022, George Epp passed away. He was 93. George and his wife, Adelaide, were a huge part of M2W2 for over four decades, beginning in the early 1980s. Together, George and Adelaide volunteered and donated to M2W2. They shared compassion with so many people in prison and on parole.
Through his humour, kindness, and faith, George brought positivity and hope to those he mentored. Here at M2W2 we are saddened by George’s passing and express our condolences to Adelaide and George’s many family members and loved ones. We also express our gratitude to George for his years of service. He was an inspiration, and we will miss him.
A Mentor with a Sense of Humour
Known for his love of cycling and his “corny ways” of connecting, George brought his sense of humour inside the prison, whether he drove there or rode his bike.
When he was in his 80s, George got down on the floor at the visitors and correspondence centre at Mission Medium and began doing pushups.
“Oh, the joy he brought to broken souls,” said Giuseppe, who was mentored by George while in prison. Later George continued to support Giuseppe as he reintegrated into the community as part of our No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) program.
Despite all the fun and jokes, George’s visits had a purpose beyond laughter. He knew he was a lifeline for people. He wanted to be available to everyone. He handed out cards with his name, number, and a few bible verses. Some cards included handwritten messages. All of them displayed George’s unique sense of humour. For example, one card describes the gospel as “Good News for feeble bodies like mine… better than Lotto 6/49.”
“He was so devoted,” Giuseppe said. “The first thing he’d do when he came back from vacation was come and visit me.”
Giuseppe said George and Adelaide picked up his mother every six weeks at Horseshoe Bay and drove her to visit him at prison. After the visit, they would drive her back to the ferry.
“It’s been an honour to be a part of George’s life. If there were more people on Mother Earth like George, it really would be a much better place.”
A Legacy of Faith and Friendship
Among M2W2 staff and volunteers, George left a lasting impression.
“Whenever we talked, we talked about the cross,” said Raymond Robyn, M2W2’s Executive Director. “He had a cross with a number on it, and that number represented the people waiting for a mentor.”
Raymond said that George was someone with deep faith in God, someone who wanted to serve and bring the gospel to incarcerated people. He was also someone who loved his wife and family.
“When I was with him and Adelaide, I would see love in action. The way he would show love to her, the way he spoke to her, complimented her. I would joke with him and say, ‘When I grow up, I want to show the love of Christ like that to my wife.’”
Maggie Klassen, Store Manager at Hidden Treasures in Abbotsford, said that she enjoyed working with George. “He was a very interesting guy with quite a unique sense of humour,” she said. “We spoke German together; he was excited to find a ‘young soul’ who still knew the language. I will always look back and cherish those memories.”
Former Executive Director Wayne Northey shared his reflections in verse (see below). “When I think of George,” he writes, “I remember a quirky, loving character… When I think of George, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ rings in my ears.”
A Life of Humility and Service
In 2006, to reflect on the 40th anniversary of M2W2, George complied a book of essays and photographs about the organization.
George’s own contribution, “New Friends,” looks at the joys and surprises of volunteering with M2W2. The essay focuses on George’s relationship with Romeo and his journey from solitary confinement at Kent to parole. George recounts shared moments and conversations about scripture.
George writes about how Romeo became a mentor for others leaving prison, and alongside his parole officer, took on speaking engagements at local schools, where he shared his story of crime, imprisonment, and restoration. Throughout the essay, George rarely points to his own role. Rather, he thanks Romeo for the chance to be his mentor.
“He has left so much love and care and humility and courage and wisdom and strength,” Giuseppe said.
“M2W2 encourages you to believe in yourself, to build your self-esteem up again. They always build us up and kept building us up. And George was the prime example.”
A celebration of George’s life will be held at 1:30 pm on January 21, 2023, at Sardis Community Church.