I am sad to be telling you about the passing of a member of the league family after a lengthy illness. George Billings was our Coach of the Year in 1988, and both of his children, Adam and Mandy played in the league before the family moved to Florida. He was very proud of his Kingston roots, and his affiliation with the league. He was an avid sportsman and a multi-sport athlete growing up here, first in Fort Henry Heights and then at LCVI, and someone that I admired growing up, but then, he was my brother.
The condolences of the Pete Petersen Basketball League family go out to George’s wife Linda, to his children Adam and Mandy, their families and his Kingston family and friends from his work here and his days at LCVI. George’s family has asked that in memoriam donations be made to the league. I thank them for their continued belief in what we do for the children in our community.
George’s obituary is below.
George “Pop” Billings
February 22, 1949 – March 12, 2025
George passed away peacefully on March 12 surrounded by the love of his family at the Advent Hospital Hospice Unit in Orlando Florida. He is survived by his dear, devoted and loving wife Linda, who never left his side throughout the last part of his life journey, his children Adam (Hayley), Mandy (Jeremy) , his beloved grandchildren Jake and Gray and his brother Roland (Susan). Also grieving his loss are his sister in law Sheila, nephews Barry (Kate), Michael (Julie), and nieces Alison (Jefferson), Kristine (Ted), Cathy (James), and Karen. George was predeceased by his parents Harry and Edna Billings, his brother Bob and sister Ellen Ryan.
An avid sportsman throughout his life, George excelled at baseball as a hard hitting outfielder at Kingston’s Cricket Field, on the football field as a two way player at LCVI, and a Touch Football Champion in 1976 with Pools by Carsten. George played basketball, and rugby as well as field events at LCVI, and took up golf as a long off the tee player in Kingston and Florida. His love of sports carried over to the sidelines where he coached his son Adam in his minor basketball career in Kingston.
George was a proud member of IATSE since 1971. In Kingston, he worked as a Projectionist at the Odeon and Capital Theatres. He enjoyed stagehand events at the Grand Theatre and Memorial Centre. After moving to Orlando in 1991 he became a member of IATSE Local 631 working numerous events before taking a position at Vanco/PRG, a theatrical lighting company, where he worked from 1992 until his retirement in 2018.
George loved being Pop to his grandchildren Jake and Gray, whom he taught to play chess and question authority. He was generous and kind and will be missed by all who knew him.
The family would like donations in George’s memory be made to the Pete Petersen Basketball League. George loved his years coaching in the league, and his children have fond memories of their involvement. Donations can be made by e-transfer to roland.billings @sympatico.ca or by cheque to Pete Petersen Basketball League, 31 Ellerbeck Street, Kingston, K7L 4H5

