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September 9, 1950 - February 17, 2021
Arthur McConnell passed away February 17, 2021 at the age of 70 after a decade long battle with his health.
He was predeceased by his mother Estella, his father Johannes and his brother, Bruce, all in South Africa.
He is survived by his spouse Hillary, daughters Jess (Jon), Nicky (Ivan), granddaughter Rain, sister Cath (Mike) their children, and brother Mickey (Jan) and their children.
Arthur was born in Scottburgh on the south coast of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa and grew up loving the beaches. He apprenticed as an instrument mechanic at Huletts Sugar Refinery and emigrated with his spouse, Hillary and daughter Jess to Canada in 1974 after a stint living in Earls Court, London. His daughter Nicky was born in Port Alberni.
Arthur was a private person who loved animals, especially cats.
He worked at the pulp and paper mill from 1974 until his health started failing. He loved sailing and spent many hours tinkering on his boat and racing with the Schooner Cove Yacht Club. A memorable journey for him was the delivery of one of the Vic Maui sailboats from Lahaina to Vancouver.
He lived in Tofino for 13 years where he spent most days walking the beaches removing bottles, cans and garbage with his ubiquitous nippers.
When he moved back to Port Alberni in 2015 he took to his sandbox with a tractor and the chugging of the Kubota which he named Gunda Gunda still echoes through the trees.


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