John was the loving husband of Brenda (nee Corr) Arthurs for 55 years; father to Angela, Paul and Christopher; father-in-law to Mark and Michele; grandfather to Rory, Luke (Tess), Cole (Tegan), Emily, Hannah (Matt), Jonathan, Colin, Phoebe, Cole and Lauren.
John is survived by his brothers Jim (Lily) and Raymond (Valerie) in England, and is pre-deceased by his siblings Father Austin, Winifred, Pauline (Frank), Mary (Vincent) and Joan.
John is also mourned by his extended family in England, Australia and Canada, including Ged and Betty Carr, Rose Delaney, and family friend Elaine Vandewalker.
For his college In England, John ran track and cross country, travelling to competitions in Europe and all over the United Kingdom. John and Brenda moved the family to Canada in 1968, and John started teaching at Oshawa Catholic High School (now Paul Dwyer). His subjects were usually math, physics and chemistry. He volunteered at graduations, sponsored the photography club, and coached numerous high school cross-country running and track teams, as well as the Oshawa Vikings Rugby Club in the 1970s.
John retired in 1998 after more than three decades as a devoted teacher in Catholic education, both in Canada and England. John was an avid photographer of landscapes and nature, and documented weddings, group portraits and all family events. He was a devoted do-it-yourselfer who enjoyed woodworking and gardening. His family have many of his wood projects in their homes, and looked forward to a beautiful display of flowers in the spring. John was a reader and a traveller. He and Brenda toured Newfoundland, Alaska, the Southern US, and the Holy Land, and visited England many times. He was also a perennial Church volunteer at St. Gertrude’s for daily mass, and for marriage preparation courses. John was very proud of his grandchildren, and loved attending graduations (with camera in tow).
John was out for dinner with family on Friday night, then suffered a stroke Saturday morning and went to hospital. He had great care from the Emergency department and the Integrated Stroke Unit at Oshawa General Hospital. Anyone wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers could donate to Heart and Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society (Ride for a Cure) or the charity of their choice.
Visitation will be Tuesday October 30th at Armstrong Funeral Home on King Street from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be at St. Gertrude’s, also on King Street, on Wednesday October 31st at 10 am, followed by a reception downstairs in the church hall.
No comments:
Post a Comment