ARTHUR EDWARD LAWSON

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ARTHUR EDWARD LAWSON Born August 12, 1917 in Montreal, passed away peacefully November 11, 2004 in Kamloops from complications due to kidney failure. Arts final days and passing were spent comfortably and joyously with his family by his side at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops. Arthur was a gentle man; a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, whose humour warmed everyone who had the good fortune of meeting him. Arthur is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Verian (Baylis) daughter Candice (Daryl) sons, Glenn (Denise), Drew (Laurel), Curtis (Linda) and Dwayne (Nita) 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Art spent his early years in Montreal where he graduated from technical college and worked for Canadian Vickers prior to joining the R.C.A.F. and serving overseas in the Second World War. Shortly after he returned from active service, he married Verian Baylis whom he had met as a family friend years earlier. Art started a career with the C.P.R. Signal Shop which lasted until his retirement 33 years later. Art and Verian began their family in Montreal with Candice, Glenn and Drew. 1951 brought a promotion and transfer to Winnipeg where Curtis and Dwayne were added to the family. Art was active in the United Church, Boy Scouts and the CPR Supervisors Bowling League. Art also kept busy as a handyman, fixing numerous kids bikes and later puttering in his workshop making and repairing golf clubs. Travel became a passion for Art, resulting in the continent being crossed many times on summer vacations. Art spent many happy years in Winnipeg before returning to Montreal in 1970 to finish his career with the C.P.R. After retirement in 1978 Arthur moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Retirement also allowed for more travel with trips to Europe and winter vacations in Spain and Portugal being added to his North American travels. Summers in Winnipeg were spent enjoying many rounds of golf with his friends at the Windsor Golf Course. Eventually the harsh winters (and short golf season) took their toll so in 1997 Arthur moved west to the BC interior where Glenns family had just settled. A lovely home on the Sun Shore Golf Course in Chase was purchased and years of golf in BCs natural beauty followed. Friendships with neighbours, the members of St. Andrews and All Saints Church, the OAPO and the Royal Canadian Legion made Arts time in Chase very enjoyable. Arthur will be greatly missed by all of his family and many friends in Chase, Winnipeg and Montreal. A memorial service for Arthur will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, November 13 at St. Andrews Church, 845 Thompson Ave., Chase, BC. The Lawson Family would like to thank Dr. S. Rollheiser, Dr. C. Wijeyesinghe and the staff of the Renal Unit at the Royal Inland Hospital and the staff of the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home for the wonderful care they provided Arthur. In lieu of flowers we welcome you to remember Arthur by donating to the R.I.H. Foundation attn.: Renal Unit, 311 Colombia St., Kamloops, BC V2C 2T1 and the Kamloops Hospice Association, Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Cres. South, Kamloops, BC V2E 2S9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 2004