Obituary of Donald McArthur

MCARTHUR, DONALD LYON ("The General") 1925-2009 - It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Donald Lyon McArthur (born December 14,1925), at Versa Care in Brantford, Ontario on Thursday June 18, 2009. Don was the loving and devoted husband of 57 years to Jane (née Drennan), beloved father of Kim (Les Petriw) and Cam (Shelley Kitchen), and dearly cherished Papa to Katie, Claire, Cam, and Will. Much loved brother of the late Mickey, Campbell, Clarke, and Betty (Hodgson). Uncle Don will also be sorely missed by his sisters-in-law, Beth Drennan and Marg MacArthur as well as his many McArthur, Drennan, Hodgson, and Morgan nieces and nephews. "The General" graduated from McMaster University (Class of 1947), and retained many lifelong friendships from that time. Upon graduation he devoted himself to his career as an educator, first teaching in Simcoe and Windsor, and then moving with the family to Brantford in 1958 to teach at North Park Collegiate. He was a Vice Principal at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and is fondly remembered by the many students and staff he taught, coached, and worked with over the years. Don liked to have fun. He retired in 1984, and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement as a member of the Northridge Golf Club, the Brant Curling Club, the Caledon Ski Club, and the Brant Memorial Concert Band, where he was a trombonist who gleefully looked forward to every practice and concert. Music was a great joy in his life. Don attended as many sports events as possible and was an avid supporter of Brantford's various sports teams. The General's ability to seize the moment, his optimistic outlook, and his good humour will be missed by all his friends and family. Friends will be received at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Avenue, Brantford, on Friday June 19 from 7-9 p.m. and from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday June 20. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Don will be remembered on Father's Day Sunday June 21st at St. Andrews United Church. If desired, donations may be made to the St. Andrews United Church Building Fund. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand Don's family wishes to thank all the helping hands at Versa Care who treated him with kindness and respect. His every need was met with a smile. A tree will be planted in memory of Don in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest.