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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. Cyril Armstrong died peacefully in his sleep on June 24, 2023.
Cyril was born and raised on a fruit farm in Beamsville, Ontario. His parents immigrated from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in the 1920s along with a throng of family members. They brought with them the folkloric traditions and gaiety that were a large part of their culture. There was always a poem, a song or a bit of harmless gossip as they canned the peaches or prepared a picnic on the lawn of the farm overlooking Lake Ontario. The warmth and wit of this cast of characters was ingrained in Cyril and he carried it with him throughout his life.
Cyril graduated Royal Roads Military college as a Flight Officer and received his Wings in 1949. He then trained on the Harvard and flew the De Havilland Vampire fighter jet as an RCAF reserve pilot.
In 1952 Cyril graduated in Civil engineering from University of Toronto and went on to work for the subsequent 38+ years in local government, senior management roles for the cities of North Bay, St. Catharines (1960-73 as Engineer then City Manager). He then became CAO of Hamilton-Wentworth (1973-86) before moving west where he served with distinction as City Manager for Edmonton (1986-90), and finally as a consultant and Associate of George B Cuff & Associates Ltd. before retiring. His friend and colleague, George Cuff remembered Cy as “a prince of a man who lived and breathed integrity and epitomized a gentleman’s way of conducting himself throughout his career as a public servant”.
Cyril had a diversity of accomplishments: He volunteered on expeditions to China and India providing expertise in developing infrastructure. He was executive director of the Anglican diocese of Niagara where he was a recipient of the Order of Niagara. He was a Founder of Brock University and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, and in the early 1990s he was an Associate Professor of the MPA program at the University of Western Ontario. He was the recipient of several awards for his outstanding service including the Professional Award from CAMA in 1984, Ontario Municipal Management Institute in 1989, the Distinguished Service Award from ICMA in 1993, the Vanier Gold Medal for Public Administration in 1984, and the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).
Despite Cyril’s many achievements, his inclination was to elevate others, showing a special interest and praise for their accomplishments, thoughts and ideas. He never lost his love for the countryside and farmland. Although his aging was encumbered by a slow illness, his positive energy, his spirit, his kindness and his quick wit stayed with him throughout his life.
Cyril leaves his dear and devoted wife, Joan Kay (Mraz) as well as his sons David John (Sandra) and Gerald Clark and his grandchildren, Ryan, Amelia, Wesley (Susan), Andrew (Jennifer), Jennifer, William and great grandson, Max Cyril.
He was predeceased by his parents, Clarke and Ellen Armstrong, his brother, George Andrew John, his sister, Margaret Jean Marie and his dear daughter, Darlene Tracy.
A sincere thank you to the Tansley Woods staff for their conscientious and dedicated caregiving. A private, family ceremony will be held to remember Cyril, a strongly devoted Christian man who lived out his beliefs and faith in how he treated his family, friends and those he served. In lieu of flowers please make donations, if desired, to St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Beamsville, Ontario.
Saturday June 24th 2023
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario
death notice Cyril Thomas Clarke Cy Armstrong Saturday June 24th 2023
obituaries notice Cyril Thomas Clarke Cy Armstrong Saturday June 24th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Cyril Thomas Clarke Cy Armstrong Saturday June 24th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
