Skip to content

May 23, 2020
On May 23rd, 2020 after a long and well enjoyed life, our Dad passed away peacefully in Victoria shortly after his 95th birthday. Art was born and raised a humble prairie boy in West Kildonan (Winnipeg) where he found his lifelong love of golf, the Blue Bombers, singing and aviation.
Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as a teenager, Art served as a navigator both during and after WWII. Starting work with the Department of Transport in 1947, he worked at Arctic Bay on Baffin Island, in Edmonton where he married Joyce in 1951, and then at Fort Nelson BC after a long muddy drive up the Alaska Highway. In 1955 he began his career with Pacific Western Airlines which took the family from Edmonton to Tsawwassen in 1969.
Dad and Mom moved to Sidney in 1977 when he joined the BC Government Air Services. Art was a long-time member of the Sidney Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Victoria Radio Control Modeler's Society. He was a regular blood donor and volunteered extensively, often on executive committees, in the communities he lived and worked in, including into his 90's at the Sidney Food Bank. He was a long-time member of the Glen Meadows Golf and Curling Clubs and a thrice weekly, year around, golfer until the course was closed a few years ago. The last of his generation, Art was sadly predeceased by his loving wife (and enthusiastic cribbage opponent) Joyce on April 28, 2013, older brothers Mark, Den and Les, and younger sister Muriel.
He is survived by his loving children Susan, Bruce (Marney), Bernie (Juni), and Doug (Sabrina), beloved grandchildren Lexi, Sean, Mark, Max, Karie and Jasmine and great grandchildren Nature and Vera, in-laws, Oscar, Maureen and Dawn Johnston, loving nieces and nephews and dear friend Hazel Hitchin.
Art was devoted to his family, a long line of family dogs and any kind of homemade dessert. Always optimistic and never complaining, he always wanted to make sure someone else was looked after before he was. Sincere thanks to his medical teams and the caring staff at Amica Beechwood, Beacon Community Services, Mount Newton Seniors Centre and Broadmead Veteran's Memorial Lodge for their kindness and the wonderful support they gave to Art. So many of his friends and acquaintances have told us what a nice man he was, which we always knew and which makes us proud to have had him as a father; a true gentleman he was.
A gathering will be held at a later date when we are permitted to do so. As requested, Art and Joyce's ashes will be committed together to the sea, which they enjoyed so much. If you wish, a donation in memory of Art can be made to your local Food Bank, the Blood Bank or a charity of your choice.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.