Arnold George John Park
1945-2020
Arnold George John Park – 75, of Port Williams,
passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2020 after a courageous
battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario he
was a son of the late Arnold and Emma (Weeks)
Park.
Arnold
served in the Canadian Armed Forces, with the Royal Canadian Regiment
for three years. He then worked in the gold mines in Geraldton and
Manitouwadge before attending Lakehead University where he earned his
BA. He then attended the University of Windsor, earning his MBA in
1973.
Arnold was
project manager for various companies in Ontario before moving his
family to the Maritimes, ultimately landing in the Annapolis Valley of
NS as the Director and COO of Cobi Foods, Inc. He later moved again to
begin his long senior management career with McCain Foods, where he
held the titles of VP Marketing for McCain Foods (USA) and McCain
Foods (Canada); and ultimately served as President and CEO of the
Canadian Operations based in Florenceville, NB for a decade, until his
retirement in 2005.
While he
continued excelling in his professional life, Arnold and Sandra were
feeling the effects of an ‘empty nest’. After
learning about an organization called Children’s Bridge,
they decided to expand their family. Over a period of six years and
three trips to China, they welcomed their three youngest daughters
Sarah, Molly and Lily.
Settling
back in NS Arnold enjoyed some downtime with his growing family. He
served on several volunteer boards including Children’s
Bridge, Infoway Health Canada, NS Farm Loan Board, and NS Justice High
Risk Offenders Community Notification Committee. Working upon the
vision of his son, Doug; Arnold helped create Cedar Bay Grilling
Company Ltd. in 2009 and took great pride in the success of the
company which grew from a small plant in Blandford, NS to an
award-winning producer of frozen salmon products bringing the best of
Atlantic Canada to homes around the world. Always a businessman, there
was no slowing down Arnold even in
retirement.
An avid
bookworm his collection of books was vast and his love for reading was
something he passed on to his children and grandchildren. One of the
highlights for the kids at Christmas was opening their books from
Dad/Grampie.
Arnold loved
hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed his adventures with his
brother John in Thunder Bay. A history buff, especially war history,
he spent many hours reading and watching documentaries with his
younger daughters. He also was adventurous and enjoyed traveling.
Between business and his trips with family, he visited over 50
countries, and was proud to tell stories about his
experiences.
A strong
willed, hard worker; Arnold cherished his family and we will miss him
dearly. We could depend on him for anything knowing he would never
expect anything in return. He was a very wise man who wanted nothing
but the best for the people he loved.
He often sat
quietly observing what was going on and could fall asleep anywhere.
But he was always on guard when it came to protecting his family.
There wasn’t a pond, a snowbank or a coffee table that could
pose a risk to his kids/grandkids.
Survived by
his loving wife of 56 years, Sandra (Perry), children Stephen
(Charlene), Doug (Barb), Susan (Richard), Michael, Sarah, Molly and
Lily; brother John (Suzanne); sister-in-law Cheryl Doi; grandchildren
Tristan, Nicholas, Hannah, Christopher, Gretel, Max, Maggie, Logan,
Addison, Grayson and Savannah, a niece and three nephews. Besides his
parents he was predeceased by son-in-law Scott
Forsythe.
The family
would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Todd and nurse Ciara, as
well as to the home care nurses from VON for such compassionate
care.
Cremation
has taken place. There will be no visitation or funeral service at
this time. Donations in memory may be made to the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society of Canada. Arrangements have been entrusted
to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.
On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
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19452020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Arnold George John Park 19452020..
Décès pour la Ville: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia