James “Jim” Gordon MacArthur
June 11, 1949 – November 23, 2019
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MacArthur, James “Jim” Gordon – of Hilden, passed away November 23rd, 2019 – eldest son of the late Stewart and Ruth (Taylor) MacArthur, was born June 11, 1949, in Truro. He was predeceased by his brother, John, his infant granddaughter, Lily, as well as sister-in-law, Donna Mills-MacArthur: his in-laws Jean & Dannie MacBurnie. Jim is survived by his wife, Lyn MacArthur (Patriquin); two amazing sons, and their families, Taylor & Stephanie (Harvey), and JR & Cat (Basar); Grandson, Nicolas MacArthur and his constant companion, Kilo: sister-in-law, Jill MacArthur and nephew Ayrton MacArthur: Brothers-in-law, Jim Patriquin and Wendy, Thane Patriquin and Laura: nieces & nephews, Allison, Thomas (Courtney & Stella), James (Lindsay Robinson), Mark, Emily & Sarah, and many wonderful cousins and extended family. Harvard & Marie Basar, who opened their home and hearts to us, as well as family and friends at Patterson Law. Jim was born in Truro and has lived in the Truro area, except for a five year break when his Mum & Dad moved to Halifax, returning to the Truro area in the spring of 1971. Jim attended elementary school at Willow Street School, one year at the Junior High, and then to Kings College School in Windsor, N.S. for the next six years. While at Kings he was a member of the Cadet Corp. reaching the level of Platoon Sargent of #2 Platoon. In sports, Jim played soccer in the Inter House League but his best memories are of the school’s A-Track Team. He was always on the run to wherever he was going and that was never truer than when it came to the 440 yard dash. In the 1965 and 1966 Nova Scotia Provincial Track & Field Championships Kings were the Champs and Jim finished 3rd in the 440 yd. dash, while the 4×440 Relay Team and the Mile Medley Relay Team won their races. He was consumed with his love of horses. Jim was the one that loved going to the horse shows and would show both of the horses; Captain Morgan and Colonel Vic. In 1969 Jim and his horse won the Maritime Championship in the Roadster Pony Division, and in 1971 Jim and Colonel Vic became the Maritime Parade Horse Champions. As time passed, Jim’s passion changed from horses to horse power as his interest in cars followed that of his father. In 1971 John went racing and Jim was right alongside helping wherever he could and even worked with the Fire/Rescue team during the 1971 Formula Atlantic Race in Debert, NS. In 1973 the Debert facility was no longer available for racing so the racers decided it was time to find a permanent location to have their fun and the search was started, of course Jim & John were there right from the very start with a visit to the abandoned farm property that a year later became known as Atlantic Motorsport Park just outside Shubenacadie, N.S. This is where Jim became a Safety Marshall and eventually in the summer of 1975 Chief Marshall of the Atlantic Region. In 1980 not only did Jim and Lyn get married, but Jim took his 240-Z and went racing at AMP. It was a very good year in every way, Jim & Lyn were very much enjoying their life together both at home and at the race track. The race Season was capped off with the Regional Championship in the two classes he had competed in (GT-1 & Unlimited Division) especially nice, as it was his rookie year. He raced his 240-Z another year in 1983, with his co-driver taking the GT Championship that year also. In 1984 Jim & Lyn’s interests became focused on raising their family as Taylor arrived in April. Taylor was joined 3 years later by John Robert, better known as JR. Jim and Lyn became very involved in their boy’s interests and activities. Jim was the assistant coach for the Tim Bits Soccer team they competed on, enjoying every moment. Jim wanted all the kids to have fun first and to enjoy playing the game no matter what the score was and it seemed to work. Later when JR went to Mount Allison University, Jim & Lyn would go every weekend to support JR and the Lacrosse team as they competed against other Maritime University teams. In the second year of JR playing Lacrosse Jim was asked before the third game if he would be the Team’s Coach, so began a season of Coach/Cheer Leader. Jim knew nothing about Lacrosse but always was cheering on and encouraging them not to give up, keep digging, but most of all he wanted them to enjoy the game they were playing. It seemed to work as they won their first game in 5 years and qualified for the Championship Play-Offs that year and the next. What a blast! Jim had several jobs in his 70 years. After graduating from the New York Institute of Photography in Retouching and Airbrush Restoration, his first big job was a Retoucher & Print Finisher in 1971. In 1973 he formed a business with his brother doing the same work and they opened MacArthur Brothers Photofinishing in September. After closing the chapter on MacArthur Brothers Photofinishing, he then worked for a couple of local photofinishing businesses before ending his career as Chief Dark Room Tech for the Northern Region of the Nova Scotia Health Care System at the Colchester Regional Hospital enjoying this chapter of his career. Jim retired February 1, 2012 and enjoyed every moment of that time. He was as busy as he wanted to be and tried to help out wherever possible. He and his Mum had lots of good times together before her passing. Jim loved going grocery shopping and doing things to help out around the house, “Lyn’s” office, and of course became a “fixture” at 2U Like New when Taylor began managing the business for Mitch Cooke. Jim thanks Taylor, Steve, Jamie, Dylan and Mitch from 2 U Like New for their help on the 1977 Ford truck. Jim thanks the Partners and Employees of Patterson Law for the gift of time they gave him with Lyn during his final months. There are not enough words to express Jim and Lyn’s gratitude to Dr. Serge Singh – you have been a wonderful friend. Very special thanks to Dr. David Henderson & Lisa Weatherbee from the Palliative Care Team, Nicole Finney of MAiD, Dr. Don Rowe, Dr. Jamie Grandy and Dr. Michael Murray. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Coulter’s Funeral Home, Tatamagouche. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until time of funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 27th in St. John’s Anglican Church, Truro, Rev. Lori Ramsey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Colchester East Hants Palliative Care Program, St. John’s Anglican Church or 3rd Truro Beavers. Condolences can be forwarded to the family by following the links on this web page.
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. After all, to the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Albus Dumbledore.
SERVICES
Funeral Service
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
2:30 PM
St. John’s Anglican Church
23 Church
Truro, Nova Scotia
Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to time of funeral service at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Jim Gordon MacArthur June 11 1949 November 23 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Tatamagouche, Province: Nova Scotia