Art passed away peacefully at home. Art is survived by his second wife June, brother Jim, daughter Kathleen, son Patrick, stepson Mark, stepdaughters Stephanie and Regine, grandchildren Kristine, Lisa, step-grandchildren Rick, Teg, Georgia, Kaiza, Sophie And great-grandchildren Damien, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Jasper, Raya, Carter, Luka and Wyatt. Preceded in death by his parents Frank and Kathleen, first wife Dorothy, stepdaughter Kathryn and stepson Peter.
Art will be laid to rest, in the spring at the RCMP cemetery, Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers please donate in Art’s memory to Santa’s Anonymous.
Art’s life began in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, with his childhood years spent in the communities of Macklin, Delisle, and Watrous with his brother Jim as they moved to different Anglican parishes that were served by their clergyman father. In the Autumn of 1941, the family moved to the town of Enderby, travelling through the mountains in their 1928 model A Ford. In the eyes of an eleven-year-old the Okanagan was like paradise after Depression-era Saskatchewan. As a youth, Art spent happy summers working in an orchard and packing house in Oyama. Another family move took him to the railway town of Revelstoke. Here he began working for the CPR on the local section gang, then applying to begin a career in Locomotive Service. This exciting time for Art began in the Roundhouse in Field in the winter of 1947 at the age of sixteen. Art worked his way to the position of Fireman, where his skill earned the respect of Engineers, as together they strived to keep the trains running safely and on time through the mountains and valleys of British Columbia. With the era of the steam engine beginning to wane, Art’s life took a new direction as he applied at the age of twenty-one to serve with the RCMP. As he was writing the exams that would qualify him as a Locomotive Engineer, Art received notice to report for training at RCMP Depot in Regina. His career in the Force took him to Winnipeg, Carman, Fort Smith, Red Deer, and finally Ottawa, residing in the town of Manotick. During his time in Carman he met his first love, Dorothy who he married in 1956. His career in the force ranged from life in rural detachments to the anxious times in Ottawa of the FLQ Crisis and War-Measures Act, to arranging security for visiting Royalty and Heads of State. Art retired from the Force after twenty-five years of distinguished service with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Moving to Victoria, Art worked distributing books to school libraries and as a sales representative for Victoria Book & Stationery. After Dorothy’s death, Arthur found a new love, June, whom he married in 1990. Together they had the opportunity to travel, visiting and making friends in Japan, Switzerland, and the Holy Land.
Throughout his life Art found enjoyment in walking, birding, gardening, reading, history, railways, spending time at the gym, and sitting with a cup of coffee in conversation with friends. Art, a gentleman in every way, will be remembered for his example of esprit d’corps, his love and respect of nature, his active participation in the life of the church, the kindness and courtesy he showed to each person he met and his quiet faith in God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.
Rest Eternal grant unto him, O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon him. Rest in Peace.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
16 Responses
To June and family. We have just learned of Art’s passing and offer our condolences. To have known Art was a privilege, he was very much a gentleman. Sheila and Bob Viggers
I feel very fortunate and honoured that I was able to get to know Arthur throughout this last year. He is the truest definition of a gentleman. His love for June showed through each and every day and he treated everyone he met with an immense amount of respect. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the gym. Thank you for showing me how to live life to the fullest.
So sorry for your loss, Patrick and family. Praying that you will find comfort in your grief.
June, as you know I already miss my conversations with Art which transpired over 20 years on the phone, usually speaking more than an hour each Wednesday. We never personally met, yet we had a close relationship looking forward to our call each week. He kept me aware of life in Canada and I here in the U.S. Spirituality in life helped us to keep flowing with a joyful attitude. He was a ” Gentleman and will be missed.
LOVE and Blessings to You. and the Family
Dear June and Patrick,
Condolences on the loss of a dear husband and father. We remember Art with great affection, a true gentleman with a quiet smile.
Warmest regards,
Martyn and Margaret Clark
We send our love and care to everyone in the Sharman extended family, and especially to his son – our beloved long-time colleague Patrick – in whom we see Art’s legacy in a love of trains, good books, travel, faith in a loving Creator, loyalty, and being an all-around gentleman. From the SALTS community.