Arthur Hudson Travers
1921-2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our
Dad and friend, Arthur Hudson Travers, on August 30,
2020 at home in Kildare Capes, Prince Edward Island. Born November 8,
1921 in the family farmhouse at Kildare Capes, Dad’s life
was one that was exceptionally well
lived.
Growing up on a farm in the 1920s and 1930s was tough, but
everyone contributed to the chores at hand and life was good. Dad
shared many stories of his adventures (and mis-adventures) growing up
with his sisters Edna and Betty and brothers Billy, Clayton and Reg.
Those stories alone would fill a book.
In 1941, Dad enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers as a
sapper and was posted to Petawawa, Ontario to learn how to build
bridges and trenches. But Dad had his sights set on the skies and soon
transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was posted to St.
Thomas, Ontario and in 1942 was accepted for air crew training,
receiving his wings in January 1943. His solo flight was on the Tiger
Moth. Many years later, Dad was elated to again fly a Tiger Moth as
part of the Vintage Wings of Canada tour. He delighted in being to
once again say “I have control”. Dad graduated to the
dual-engine Anson in June 1943. Later that year, he transferred to the
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and was posted to Ancienne
Lorette, Quebec as a staff pilot training navigators. It was there
that he met the love of his life, Phyllis, who was training to be a
nurse. They were married in August 1945 and settled in Quebec City to
begin raising a family.
Their home on Bishop Avenue in Ste. Foy was soon filled with
six children, an assortment of dogs (the most favourite being Nipper)
and cats, much laughter and lots of love. Mum and Dad loved large
gatherings of family and friends and hosted many dinners. Mealtime
discussions around the dining table were always lively and
engaging. Dad encouraged us all to think about issues of the
day and to develop and express an opinion. Dad loved a good argument
and even at the age of 98, was always keen to discuss current events
and politics.
For many years, Dad worked for Tri-Bec Inc., a heating,
ventilation and air-conditioning contracting company in Quebec City.
Dad was a pioneer in the field of air-conditioning and oversaw the
completion of major projects throughout Eastern Canada. Although he
never received an engineering degree, Dad was presented with an Iron
Ring in 1973 in recognition of his significant contribution to the
field. Dad wore that ring with considerable pride. In Quebec, Dad was
also very active with the Masonic Lodge, Trinity Anglican Church and
Boy Scouts. He was committed to volunteering his time and talents to
the wider community and was a wonderful role model to
us.
Dad instilled in all of us a love of travel. He ensured that
every summer, we travelled to Prince Edward Island to spend time at
the farmhouse on Kildare Capes with Nanny and Grampa, aunts and uncles
and lots of cousins. Our trips to the Island were adventures in
themselves with us crammed into the station wagon, consuming snacks
and drinks doled out by Mum and, somewhere in the mix, a dog that
needed attention. Dad also ensured, however, that we travelled to
other parts of the country. There were many camping trips to New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine and New Hampshire. At some point, we
graduated from a large canvas tent to the luxury of a tent trailer
that was affectionately nick- named
APILAPSANT.
In 1978, Mum and Dad moved to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia when
Dad started a new career with Carrier International, a leading firm in
the air-conditioning world. It wasn’t very long before their
home on Allison Drive was filled with family gatherings and dinners
with new friends. Grandchildren and more dogs and cats became part of
the scene. Mum and Dad’s mantra was always “Live, laugh
and love”.
Dad retired from Carrier in 1990 but never fully retired from
the consulting world. Through his company ARTSCO, he continued to
provide air-conditioning expertise to companies well into his
90s.
He and Mum always planned to return to Prince Edward Island
and in the mid-1980s built a cottage on the shore at Kildare. The
cottage soon became a place of family gatherings, corn boils,
Thanksgiving dinners and even more love and laughter. Mum and Dad
moved to Alberton, Prince Edward Island in 2003. They shared their
time between an apartment in Alberton and the cottage. Dad maintained
his involvement with the Anglican Church (Christ Church Kildare
Capes), the Masonic Lodge and the Legion. Dad was recently awarded
Life Membership in the Royal Canadian Legion.
Dad always had a remarkable mind. He embraced technology and,
even up to the very end, used his iPhone daily. Somehow, with those
big hands of his, he was able to text us to stay in touch wherever we
were in the world. FaceTime provided a wonderful opportunity for him
to connect with all of us. Of particular note was his ability to
recite from memory the entire “Desiderata” poem at birthday,
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Dad is survived by his children: Ian (Lynne) of Cole Harbour,
NS; Laurie (Neil Sedgwick) of Priddis, AB; Anne (Ron Fourney) of
Orleans, ON; Pam (Doug Rideout) of Upper Tantallon, NS; Scott (Debbie)
of Kildare Capes, PE; and Andrew (Heather) of Bedford, NS. Also
survived by fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He
is also survived by cousins, Rev. Sylvia Dyer of Scotland and Lona
Crane of Alberton, as well as his nephews, nieces and
cousins.
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will take
place on September 5th in Kildare Capes. A Celebration of Life and
interment will follow at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy, memorials to Christ Church,
Kildare Capes or a charity of choice would be gratefully
accepted.
Mum passed away in 2013. Dad missed Mum dearly and brought
her flowers every week. On August 11th, they would have been married
75 years, but now they are together again. As Dad wanted, the
gravestone will read “Art and Phyll – together
forever”. Dad, we love ya.
Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home and Chapel for private
family visitation. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic there will be a
private family service on Saturday, September 5th at Christ Church,
Kildare Capes. A Celebration of Life service and interment will follow
at a later date.
Memorial donations in memory of Arthur can be made
to Christ Church, Kildare Capes (Endowment Fund) at the
following web page: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/51668
www.rooneyfh.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arthur Hudson Travers 19212020..
Death notice for the town of: Alberton, Province: I-P-E