George Maisa Wadsworth Peter O'Scanlon, 62, our beloved father, son, brother, grandfather, nephew and uncle passed away peacefully at his Hyde Park home Tuesday, February 12th, 2019. Born April 5th, 1956 in Auckland, New Zealand to William Valerian Scanlan and Mary Alio Aull-Bradley.
George passed away a short 53 days after the passing of his sweetheart and eternal companion Shelley. He cared for her through the final three years of their lives, devoting his strength and efforts to her well-being and making sure she was comfortable.
George was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1972. He met Shelley at a church activity shortly after and they were inseparable until George departed for his mission to Perth, Australia in February 1977. Upon his return home George and Shelley were married April 25th, 1979 in the Hamilton, New Zealand Temple. Their union was blessed with four daughters.
George had a great love of American Football and founded the first Gridiron League in New Zealand. His passion for football would bring his family to the United States many times and permanently in 1993. Together with his partners in 1988 George and Shelley founded International Sports Specialists, Inc. (Down Under Sports), the company he was President of until the time of his passing.
George was visionary, childlike, and generous. He had a keen sense of humor and a deep wisdom that sprang from each life experience. He took the time to educate himself, loved war stories, feeding others, and the power of a good day's effort. His favorite quote and one that best captures George is "work will win when wishy washy wishing won't."
George is survived by his four daughters Lesley (Job) Cyril, Carly (Peter) Cowley, Gayle and Sara, his six grandchildren Nathaniel, Zaylen, Rebekah, Benjamin, Isaac, and Caleb, sisters Theresa and MaryAnn, brothers Val and Henry, mother in-law Florence Rae Patterson, siblings in-law Graham (Losa) Patterson, Terry (Sally) Patterson, John (Virginia) Patterson, Janene (Nick) Matthews, Donna (Marcellus) Apelu, and Kim (Anthony) Reneti, aunty Andrea Coutts, and many nieces and nephews. George is predeceased by his beloved wife of 39 years, Shelley Anne Patterson O'Scanlon, parents William (Bill) Scanlan and Mary Alio, father in-law Alan Patterson, sister Ipu Stowers, brother Jonas Scanlan and Grandmother in-law Ailsa Coutts.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 at the Hyde Park 8th Ward chapel 480 N. 100 W. Hyde Park, Utah 84318 at 12:00 noon. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Relief Society room. Interment will take place at the Hyde Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Allen Mortuary of North Logan.