1937-2016
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Roy Kenneth McArthur who left us on the 27th December 2016 at his home at Sproat Lake, near Port Alberni BC, surrounded by family. He was predeceased by his parents, Angus James and Viola S. McArthur, and his brother Vern Stephenson McArthur [spouse Jan] in 2015. He is survived by his loving spouse, Carol Platt Novak; his daughter Joanne Reay McArthur; his son James Collier McArthur, and spouse Kelly Gulbranson, and their daughter Haley McArthur; their mother Judith [spouse Laurie Milne]. He is also remembered dearly by Carol’s family, Erica [Brent] Blake, Cameron [Mariah] Blake, and Mallory Blake; Clayton [Alisa] Novak, Madison, Paige and Jayden Novak. He is also remembered by several nephews and nieces.
Roy was born in Dryden, Ontario on the 30th March 1937. He moved with his parents at a young age to Ocean Falls BC, and then to Port Alberni where his father worked at the M&B Pulp and Paper. Roy was about 8 years old when he began school in Port Alberni. He had experience working in the Pulp Mill and then pursued a career in the sheet metal business in partnership with Lewis and Bud Stephens at Stephens Sheet Metal. He had many close and longstanding relationships with friends where he shared adventures travelling the world, skiing on Mt Washington, sailing to Hawaii, hunting, fishing and boating in Rivets, wintering in southern California, and Arizona. He was a long-time member of the Alberni Valley Golf Club, and never tired of living at his beloved Taylor Arm home. He loved the weekly winter Nanaimo Rummy games with his buddies and was hell-bent to win. His most recent adventure was his long-time wish to go sky-diving which he did with Cameron, Mallory and Erica this past August. The trip with Carol to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana was another huge highlight. He was also famous for his tomato crop each summer, and was never without a project around the house, erecting sheds and a dock canopy, and then acquired a UTV which helped him access all levels of the property. He loved watching the family members enjoying the activities at the lake, and proud of their accomplishments when they mastered their swimming and diving skills and other related activities.
The family would like to express thanks to Dr. R. O’Dwyer, Dr. K. Feyi, Dr. P. Wilcox, and Dr. F. Meyer for their medical care; also, especially to the Community Care Nurses who were involved with his care more recently.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, the 14th January 2017 at the Italian Hall, 4065 6th Ave, N, Port Alberni, BC. Please come and share your stories. There are many! In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to Ty Watson House, Alberni Valley Hospice Society, 3088 3rd Ave, Port Alberni, V9Y 2A5 or a charity of your choice.