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ART SUTTON
1937 - 2020
Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife Judy, his beloved children, Sharon (Danny), Mike, Tanya (Dave) and Andrew (Morgan), his sister Sharon Swan (Carl), grandchildren, Robin, Juliana and Thomas, nieces, Tanys and Sarah, and nephew David. His family was his greatest joy.
In 1937 Art was born to Ernest and Gwen Sutton in Campbellford, Ontario. As Ernie was transferred in his job with Ontario Hydro the family moved to Peterborough, then St. Thomas and finally settled in Belleville. For his education, Art came to Winnipeg to study at St. John's College and then the U of M Faculty of Education.
He began teaching in Ashern, Manitoba and went on to enjoy a long and successful career as teacher and principal in Seven Oaks School Division. Always game for a challenge, he introduced the first Ukrainian bilingual program in Seven Oaks, charted the course for programs in French immersion, and initiated Hebrew bilingual education. Children, teachers and parents alike were grateful for his kind and steady guidance.
Art's parallel career was with the Canadian Army Reserve where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and CO of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. As Cameron CO he had the opportunity to travel with fellow officers to Scotland and with Judy to England to present a petition to Prince Phillip. Following his retirement from the Reserves in 1984, Art maintained connections with his military friends, working with the Cameron Highlanders Advisory Board and Army Cadet League of Canada. He was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
Art joined the board of the Commissionaires of Canada and then became a full Colonel when he was appointed CEO of the Commissionaires of Canada in Winnipeg in 2004, remaining in this position until 2008. This third career offered opportunities to travel to almost every Canadian province.
Ever ready to volunteer his services, Art chaired the boards at his church and at Middlechurch Personal Care Home, and served on several committees in his home community.
Art was a builder who always had a project going: organizing a high school timetable, planning a military exercise, renovating an old house, finishing a cottage or building a bookcase for his granddaughter. He began each project with research and thorough planning, and then set to work.
Because he had an amazing memory, Art was a great storyteller and speaker, ready to share his perspective on any subject. While his knowledge base was extensive, he had an inquiring mind and enjoyed the process of discovery. He could equally embrace modern technology and genealogy, philosophy and politics, medicine and altruism. He was always teaching us: playing vocabulary games with his grandchildren, leading us to the next level.
Art was gentle, polite and brave. He listened, spoke kindly and cared about others, living his life with grace and drive.
The family is grateful for the expertise and kindness shown to Art at CancerCare and at St. Boniface Hospital. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Art's memory to either of these institutions.
An outdoor family celebration of Art's life is planned. Make a donation to
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 29, 2020
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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What an honor it has been to read the Testimony and Testament of Our Friend and Neighbor at the Lake. Art had many special gifts and talents. As captured in the Obituary above. Art's greatest gift was the love he shared with everyone! Art had a passion to teach, and the skillset to listen to those he talked with brought a deeper appreciation, a more solid understanding of each other's value and worth. Art was born the same year as Dad, and they very much engaged in discussion's about their past, and the love they both shared of Silver Harbor, where they cottaged each year. Along with their Families, both Loretta and Judy had great times together. Art has now gone on to his Heavenly Rest and Greater Glory... And I am sure Dad and Art are sipping on a warm beverage, having a game of Chess or Crib together. May God Bless the Memory of His Name, forever. "Baruch dayan Emet!" - Posted by: Daniel Riedner and Loretta Riedner. (Friends from the Lake) on: Feb 07, 2021
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Art was my principal at Centennial school. I taught kindergarten in the Hebrew Bilingual Program. Art had a great influence on my teaching career. He was a kind and gentle person. I will always have fond memories of him. My deepest condolences to Art's family. - Posted by: Eva Azuelos (Teacher) on: Sep 15, 2020
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We are sorry to hear of Art's passing. He was always full of life and had good stories. Will always remember his infectious laugh. Hugs to you Judy, Tanya and Andrew and families. - Posted by: George and Irene graham (Friends) on: Sep 05, 2020
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Our deepest sympathies for your loss. - Posted by: Asnat and Ben Gall (Colleague) on: Sep 01, 2020
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I have always remembered Mr. Sutton. He was the kindest teacher. My condolences. - Posted by: Erica Schultz (Former student at Seven Oaks School) on: Sep 01, 2020
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Art had a great impact on my life. Art hired me to teach in the English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program back in ‘81. Art was very easy to get-along with and was a good listener and a very caring and supportive individual. Art was quick witted and a master of one-liners. Art was passionate in all of his endeavours and I most vividly recall a time after he had retired and I was on a field trip with my class to a rural petting farm. Coincidentally Art was there with some of his grandchildren ....all dressed in white being muddied up in the sheep’s pen. When my Dad passed away in ‘81 Art attended his funeral fully dressed in the attire of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.. kilt and all. That image of Art will always remain with me. I pass on my sincere condolences to the Family. Memory Eternal. Vichnaya Pamyat. - Posted by: Myron Tarasiuk (Colleague) on: Aug 30, 2020