Arthur (Art) Strong

January 20, 1924-October 6, 2011
“Think positively” (Harvey Penick)

Reginald Arthur Strong (Art Strong) passed away suddenly but peacefully in the loving embrace of family. He joins his dear wife, Margaret, who predeceased him by only six months (March 9, 2011). Art’s parents were Percy John Strong and Sylvia Upton Strong (nee Jenner). Art was the youngest of four children, predeceased by his brothers Jack and Pat (Alice) and his sister Belle (Ces). Art was a country boy at heart; he loved nature. One of his most memorable trips was a two-week ‘roughing it’ in the Rocky Mountains. While Art grew up mostly in Victoria, his fondest childhood memories were reserved for a Parksville farm located off the Old Island Highway where he enjoyed a carefree life. Art worked in various places in Victoria-Pacific Furniture, Smoothies’ Meat Market, McCall Bros-before settling on drafting, taking a correspondence course in architectural drawing. He worked for 20 years at Vickers Shipbuilding in Montreal: in drafting, then quality control. Art distinguished himself in whatever he did, and was recognized for his many accomplishments, exemplary service, leadership, and diplomatic skills. Art also served in the Navy for 3 years during the war, coming home from the Maritimes to help his father, who was in poor health. Art was a community-minded person, drawn towards service clubs (Lions) and sports (coaching football and soccer). He also made almost daily pilgrimages to a certain seniors’ home in Duncan, where he was a welcome sight, not only for his wife but for all who were drawn to his good spirits. Art had a sunny disposition; he spread good cheer. Far from being blindly optimistic, Art’s feet were firmly planted in reality; if he smiled and laughed, it was because he believed in optimism as the best course of action. He was also philosopher and artist: able to discourse on values while modeling the art of living well according to those values. Art was greatly admired, respected and loved, first by his wife of 60 years’ marriage, by his three daughters Leslie (Robert), Teresa and Cindy (Ken), by his four grandchildren Anita (Chris), Fiona, Thomas and Brian, by relatives, family friends, and neighbours, and by his business associates and colleagues, above all by Torrey McCall and Gaetano Martinez, among Art’s closest and dearest lifelong friends. Art will be sorely missed by all, however the family cannot but feel grateful that Art and Margaret are reunited and resting peacefully or, more likely, listening to music, tapping their feet, even dancing; or, talking late into the night, playing their ‘Do you remember’ game, keeping everyone awake and laughing with them.

Service will be held in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:00 am with Reverend Stephen Swift officiating. In lieu of flowers, kindly give a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.