George Irving Francisco

George Irving, son of Harold Delos Francisco and Edna (née Edgerton), was raised in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, alongside his siblings Helen, Bill, June, and Ben. In his early twenties he felt a clear call to ministry and moved to Calgary, Alberta, to study at Berean Bible College. There he met Jessie Drieidiger, whom he married, and together they began a lifetime of Christian service.

George pastored several churches across western Canada, including Red Deer Baptist Church, Fundamental Baptist in Edmonton, Mayland Heights Baptist in Calgary, Brandon Alliance in Manitoba, and served on faculty at Berean Bible College. His voice remained a familiar presence to many listeners across the country through “Canada’s National Back to the Bible Hour” on Sunday mornings.

He found great joy in the outdoors, especially camping, hiking in the mountains, and fishing along the Bow River and at the Kananaskis lakes.

George is survived by his wife Jessie, his sons Jim, Kevin, Rodney, and Russell, his sister June, his brother Ben, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.