George McDonald was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and like many were drawn to Ottawa during the technology boom in the late nineties. “It was a great opportunity but I was very scared. But I thought well here’s a different opportunity and I’m a plumber, I have a chance.”. Unfortunately, the high-tech boom fell out and McDonald and his wife spent years in Ottawa struggling. Despite this McDonald truly fell in love with Ottawa and was able to watch his nieces grow and while the family he has here is not related they are “as close to me as my own blood,” McDonald tells me.

McDonald who has fought with his work in the past, as it is a tough industry, is now very successful and even enjoys it. While not one to make goals McDonald wishes to see himself and those around him grow in life and their careers. Describing himself as a “survivor” McDonald lives in the moment and acknowledges that things can change in a heartbeat. However, like many he worries about his health. “I don’t have a big game plan on how to change my life but I have gone through some big changes.”

“I want to be remembered for how I treated people rather than what I am.” McDonald made a decision in his youth to treat people how they would want to be treated. Even when it got really tough he says he really stuck to his guns. This may surprise his co-workers, to whom he often presents a stern front but McDonald says he is actually, “6’2, 250 pounds of softness who’s open to talking about anything.”

Author: Casey Bolton