7 APRIL, 1930 – 24 MARCH, 2023
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of John at the age of 92 on March 24, 2023 at Eden House Retirement Home after a long and courageous battle.
He will be dearly missed by his daughter Cindy, his brother George (Buddy) Arnold and his sisters Connie Whittle, Joan Fowler and Charlotte McWilliam on the East Coast, and his sister and brother-in-law Alvera and Walter Kowalski of Kitchener. He was loved and known as Dad to Sherri (Steve) and Dale and will be remembered by their children as Papa John.
He is predeceased by his wife Anna of 67 years, his brother Lawrence Arnold and his parents John and Kathleen (Hall) Arnold. He will also be missed by lots of nieces and nephews and many dear and long-time friends and neighbours.
John was an avid hunter and fisherman from a very young age and over the years that never changed. He was born in Gouverneur, New York and grew up in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. As a young man, he moved to Toronto and met his wife Anna on a blind date. They were married on October 16, 1954 and as it turns out, October was hunting season for John. Needless to say, he spent most of his wedding anniversaries hunting and fishing with the guys. Anna was fine with this arrangement as she happily used these occasions to redecorate the house and buy new furniture while he was away. It was a match made in heaven.
They also took many vacations together and had lots of wonderful memories of trips with very close friends to warm destinations in the winter or spending relaxing days at a friend’s cottage and lots of family and holiday gatherings with Anna’s family. The highlight of every summer was a trip back home to Nova Scotia to visit with family and enjoy a bit of the ocean, corn roasts, the hunt camp and, of course, the beautiful view in Jeddore.
John moved with Anna to Acton in 1968 and became very involved in his community. He has been an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 since 1975 and, up until the last few years, you could be sure to find him there on a Friday afternoon, enjoying a beer or two with his friends. You might also find him enjoying a beer or two out at the golf course after a round or participating in a tournament. He was a member and past president of the Acton Rotary Club. In 1982 he was named Rotarian of the year and in 1986 received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Throughout his life you could always count on him to be helping out, donating his time and taking part in many community events.
He retired in 1995 after 20 years at the Civil Enforcement Office in Milton as a Sheriff’s Officer. He spent his retirement years hunting, fishing and in his spare time did some very beautiful woodwork. He was always puttering around the house and keeping up with the yard work. And if something around the house couldn’t be fixed with duct tape, glue or a hammer, then it wasn’t worth fixing. However, we had to keep it anyway - just in case.
John was a good friend and neighbour and a very special Dad. He will live on in the memories of those who knew and loved him. He and Anna are both at peace now.
Cremation has taken place and no service is planned in keeping with John’s wishes. Those who would like to honour him may donate to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society or a charity of your choice. Greatly appreciated by the family and Bridgette – the cat he spoiled rotten.
To send expressions of sympathy please visit