A gentle man, born May 20, 1914 in New Westminster, peacefully passed away at the age of 95 on January 19, 2010 at his home beside Watch Lake.
He is survived by his loving wife Ellen, sons Bruce (Karen) and David (Cathy) and daughter Elizabeth; seven grandchildren: Christopher (Jin), Leah Schouten (Kevin), Stephanie Heinrich (Robert), Tim, Aaron, Tyson, and Clayton (Jackie). He also had five great-grandchildren.
Arthur was a piano builder during the 1930s and was an accomplished, gifted pianist. He tuned pianos well into his eighties wherever he lived.
During the Second World War, he served in the Postal Corps and continued as a letter-carrier with Canada Post until he retired in 1973.
A much-reminisced accomplishment took place in 1948. He packed up his bicycle, hopped on a train to Quesnel, and spent two weeks pedalling back to New Westminster. He passed through Likely, Forest Grove, Canim, Mahood, and Drewry Lakes, then through 100 Mile. From Clinton, he went through Kelly Lake, Lillooet, and down through the Fraser Canyon. A lot occurred during those two weeks and people enjoyed listening to his stories.
During his retirement years he worked with wood, tended his vegetable and flower gardens, listened to classical music, and did a lot of reading.
He helped raise his family in Surrey, then he and Ellen retired to Chilliwack, then Yarrow, Mill Bay, and 100 Mile House followed.
Arthur requested no funeral, however he asked that if anyone wants to listen to music in his memory, it should be Sir Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variation #9 “The Nimrod.” He thought it would be “quite fitting.”
Arthur was a wonderfully generous husband and father – always smiling, never raising his voice or complaining – a grand gentleman.
We will indeed miss this wonderful musician and gardener. We leave him in God’s loving and compassionate mercy.
Since Arthur was always willing to help others, donations in his memory can be made to: Compassion Works Int’l, 2035 Queen St. Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 6J3. The funds will go to help sick children in Kenya.
The family thanks Dr. Street, the 100 Mile Hospital and Home Care Support staff as well as the ambulance and Watch Lake first-responder crews for all their help over the last few weeks. Their professional care and aid was greatly appreciated.