The late George Ferguson Gardiner B64

Those of you who were at Canford in the early sixties will remember George (or Georgie as we called him).

I recently learned that George had died in January 2023. The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was a good friend of George described him as a distinguished lawyer who was noted for his honesty, integrity and professionalism. A man who was a lively companion with a wide, infectious sense of humour. The President and George met regularly and George shared with the President his thoughtful insights into public matters.

At Canford George starred academically and as a sportsman. He played for the first teams at Rugby, Tennis and Athletics. I well remember in our final year, we in Beaufort won the inter house 7's tournament with George in the team. Every time we gave him the ball he scored. I was recently sent a copy of the online funeral brochure and there was the 7's team photo with George sitting alongside me.

The brochure also had photos of George as a drummer in the CCF band and a jazz band at Canford.

George was born in 1946 in Sierra Leone, but his early years were spent in Ghana. While he was at Canford, the family were based in Addis Ababa because his father Robert Gardiner, a university professor and economist was at that time serving as the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission.

After Canford, George read Law at Selwyn College, Cambridge. According to one of the tributes at his funeral, he was the star of the college football team. After Cambridge, George practised Law at a number of Law Firms and Chambers in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria before settling in a Law Firm in Ghana where he practised until he passed away.

George was survived by his widow Araba, his four children and many grandchildren.

Written by OC Richard Smith B64