Parcourez la nécrologie de Gerald LeRoy Arenburg 1958 2024 résidant dans la province Nova Scotia pour le détail des funérailles
Gerald LeRoy Arenburg
– 66, of Truro passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at
Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Gerald was born in Western Kings
Memorial Hospital, Berwick, Kings County, Nova Scotia to parents,
Charlie and Mildred «Milly» Arenburg. Gerald lived his
entire life in Nova Scotia, although loved his visits to Florida,
Newfoundland, Ontario, Calgary and Edmonton especially to see the home
of one of his favorite teams, the Edmonton Oilers. He graced various
places – Waterville, Grafton, Welsford, Hortonville, Berwick,
Kentville, Bible Hill and lastly for the last 16 years in
Truro.
Gerald, also known as
«Road Runner», enjoyed his life with daily work and
participating in many groups over the years. He was very well known
and liked everywhere.
In the Annapolis
Valley, his first job was working on a farm. During his late teens he
met Gerry Cudmore and proceeded to work in his shop for many years
refinishing furniture. He also enjoyed spending time with
Gerry’s wife Pauline and sons at their home. He later went
to work at The Flower Cart, Tim Horton’s (3 locations), The
Driftwood Restaurant and the New Minas IGA Grocery Store. He loved to
be around people and enjoy his job every single day.
His next life
adventure saw him moving to Truro. He worked for 17 years at Steps on
Arthur Workshop, retiring May 2023. He enjoyed his job immensely and
it showed especially after he set an unbroken record of cutting 1100
ribbons in a day. He was proud of this record and loved to share with
anyone! We were told he would get busy and have to be forced to leave
some days! He loved his friend and boss, Lorelei Waller and
appreciated the guidance, friendship and support of Susan McCallum who
were both, along with many others, there for him and all the clients.
After retirement, he continued to work at the Royal Canadian Legion,
and Superstore. When not working, he loved taking Margie’s
dogs, Maggie and Campbell for a walk.
He enjoyed many things
– country and western music, dancing for hours and especially loved
dancing the twist with his Aunt Violet Cleveland. He was not shy about
asking for a dance partner! He would spend hundreds of hours riding
his bike, whether in the Annapolis Valley with Special Olympics fund
raisers or just for fun. In Truro, he enjoyed many long trails along
with his good friends, Jimmy Jones and Dwayne Carroll. During the
winter, he enjoyed skating in the Truro oval. He tried swimming but
sank like a rock, but still enjoyed it. Another favorite pastime was
trout fishing, even though he did not like to eat the catches and gave
them away! He and friends, Terrance Gray and Brian MacKay were always
trying to find new places to get that big one!
Since the age of 16,
Gerald loved being involved with the Special Olympics organization,
participating in many different sports. He always appreciated the time
and support put in by his team mates, coaches, referees, and
supporters who made every event possible. He was ready hours ahead of
practice times and was notorious for trying out new equipment bags! He
had two special memories while being the Goalie in two Floor
Hockey/Ringette Teams. First, in 2000, his Kentville Team won the
Canadian Gold Championship in Ottawa under Coach and friend, Alan
Fredericks. A school from Ottawa sponsored the team and presented him
with a big poster which he brought home and proudly showed off. A
special highlight included having his sister and husband, Ann and
Robert Hamilton, attending the games. Second, due to his illness he
was not able to join his team, the Cobequid Hornets, for the 2024
Provincial Championship, however was still presented a medal and gifts
which were displayed with pride on the hospital wall and at
home.
During his time in the
New Minas bowling league, Gerald met his life-long friend Mervin
Lyons. He soon became an adoptive member of Mervin’s family,
welcomed by Mom- Donna Lyons and sister -Carolyn Lyons-Ells. Donna
introduced Gerald to the game of darts at the Berwick Legion. He
instantly loved the game and joined his first league. Donna also
helped him became a member of the Berwick Legion. When he moved to
Truro, he was very happy to find a very supportive legion group.
Gerald was a very proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion and loved
representing them at events dressed in his legion outfit. Recently it
was mentioned that while at a floor hockey tournament when the
Canadian anthem started playing he put down his stick and stood at
attention to show respect which was important to him.
The highlight of his
week was going to the Legion to work or for enjoyment; and
let’s not forget the many cups of «Coffee». He
worked with Ed Elliott and loved him like a brother. Ed was a special
visitor and coffee buddy for months at the hospital. He could not wait
to go to Saturday afternoon bingo to sit with Dorothy and enjoy
everyone’s companionship and of course win lots of prizes.
He never wanted to miss Men’s Dart Night at the Legion or
any event as a loyal Legion Member. He was, and his family is, very
appreciative of Tom, Terry and the many, many who supported
him.
He joined the Truro
Men’s Dart League where he enjoyed the companionship and
support to help him tone up his dart skills. In June 2024 he was
presented this year’s trophy for «top score».
Gerald’s family appreciates the extra support given to
Gerald during the years and very special times during last few months,
especially from Terry who was his special transport
person!
Another weekly
highlight for nearly 40 years was TOPS. He first joined in Kentville
and enjoyed seeing friends through the years at the annual meetings.
He spent many years with the Bible Hill group and enjoyed the
friendships and being spoiled! He was fulfilled when he held the
«Kop» title as King due to his efforts the past 4 years in a
row. In June 2024, he was presented with the 2024 award. He and his
family appreciate all the support from the Tops friends. Thank you to
Elaine Archibald for the many years of driving him to events and when
necessary, nudging him to eat the «right»
things.
Gerald always had a
love of all animals. He loved his cat «Tabby». He would
often talk about the many deer travelling through his apartment yard
and on the NSCC grounds. He liked to tell the story about a deer
visiting his picture window for a face to face meeting with Tabby and
wondering what each was thinking, especially as Tabby did not growl at
the deer like she did the birds that just annoyed her!
He, like his Dad loved
flower gardens. He and his sister Jeanne made a nice garden under his
living room and kitchen windows for his enjoyment, minus the weeding
which was done often by Donna, an apartment resident friend. Dawn
Winterbourne, a family friend, recently planted lilies for him in his
garden. He did not get to enjoy the flowers but they and the garden
will be transplanted to Jeanne’s garden where they will be
remembered and appreciated with sentiment.
Special mention to his
dear friends Jeremy, Jimmy, Terrance, Bryan, Dwayne and Dauphine and
the many others. You were his lifeline, his family and his every day.
Thank you for being so caring and loving to him like he was one of
your own.
The family wishes to
extend a heartfelt thank you and sincere appreciation to everyone in
the Annapolis Valley, Bible Hill, Truro and other areas for the
guidance, friendships and support to Gerald during his
lifetime.
A very special thank
you to the Colchester Residential Services Society, Barb Fleck, Paula
Ellis, Velva Steward and team who have given Gerald the ability to
live independently for nearly 20 years. Barb’s friendship
saw Gerald through the biggest challenges of his life. She stood by
him to the very end, holding his hand and showing him unconditional
care and love. To the very special Colchester Palliative care team,
under esteemed Dr. David Henderson, with Dr. Nicholson, thank you for
taking the time and care with Gerald during the final stage of his
life.
He is survived by
brother, William «Bill» (Nancy) Arenburg, Berwick and their
children, John and Jackie Arenburg; sisters, Valerie (Colin, deceased)
Pothier, Wolfville and her daughter, Jennifer Pothier, Kentville; Ann
(Robert) Hamilton, Bedford and their children, Kim (Gary) Slater,
Mount Uniacke, and Trevor (Jeanne) Dixon, Lake Echo and Jeanne
Arenburg (Joe Smith), Cambridge, Hants County, and their children,
Amie Benedict, Edmonton and Corey Benedict, Calgary; and within the
last years, we were joined by another sister, Vivian (Lester)
Barkhouse, Waterville with whom we had always been close as cousins.
Gerald has many relatives in Nova Scotia, Edmonton, Calgary, Ontario
and Quebec.
Gerald was predeceased
by his parents, Charles «Charlie» and Mildred
«Milly» (Farris) Arenburg. He will rest with them in the
Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, Kings County, and beside paternal
grandmother, Elizabeth (Shaffer) Arenburg. Interment date and time
will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements have been
entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young
Street, Truro where a Legion Service will be held 1 pm Friday, June
21, 2024 with reception to follow. If so desired, donations to Steps
on Arthur are welcomed. Tributes, words of comfort and memories may be
shared at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
Beloved Son, Brother,
Uncle and Friend
1958 2024
Décès pour la Ville Truro, Province Nova Scotia
avis deces Gerald LeRoy Arenburg 1958 2024
nécrologie Gerald LeRoy Arenburg 1958 2024
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