Obituary of Canon Arthur Whitman Wilcox

We, the grandchildren, announce the peaceful passing of our grandfather The Reverend Canon Arthur Whitman Wilcox. Arthur passed surrounded by his wife Enid and family. Our grandfather considered one of his greatest achievements to be his fifty-nine year marriage to the love of his life Francis “Enid”. Grandpa Art will be deeply missed by his children and grandchildren; son Sydney and his wife Holly, and their children, Carole (Brad), and Andrew, son David and his wife Geraldine, and their children, Shauna, Mark and Dan; son John and his wife Mary-Lynn, and their children, Beth, Sarah and James; and daughter Cyndi Moynaugh and her husband D’Arcy and their daughter Kaelyn; as well as his great-grandchildren Chloe and Linden. Grandpa graduated Seminary School at St. John’s College in 1942. He was Ordained Deacon on June 1, 1947, and was Priested on May 23, 1948 at St. Mathew’s Cathedral, in Brandon, MB. Arthur spent a lifetime of service to his community and the Anglican Parishes of Christ Church, Melita, MB, St. Mark’s, Minnedosa, MB, St. Andrew’s, Winnipeg, MB, St. Paul’s, Edmonton, and St. Martin’s, Calgary. Arthur Wilcox service to others started as a young boy. He was awarded the Boy Scouts Medal for Gallantry after saving children from the Brandon Theatre fire in 1937. He was a decorated Veteran of WWII, enlisting as a L.A.C. in 410 Squadron R.C.A.F. in 1942 and was formerly discharged in 1946. Grandpa was awarded the 1939-1945 War Medal Star for Service, France Germany Medal, Defence of Canada Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and Victory Medal. He continued to serve his Country as a Reservist. Art worked with the Last Post Fund for many years and upon his retirement from Parish life, he accepted a full time position with the Last Post Fund, where he at one point held the position of Dominion President. Some of his other many recognitions include the Governors General’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Silver Jubilee Medal, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Certificate of Appreciation, Certificate of Service for thirty years, dedicated service, Honorary Member of the Last Post Fund, Member of Meritus, Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 264 and Life Member of Masonic Freemason Lodge #23. Grandpa loved to spend his summers at Star Lake, MB, where we all shared his passion for blueberries, ice cream and corn on the cob. He will be sorely missed for his humour, love, guidance, and his memorable affection for sweets. He was known to place goodies in the pockets of his grandchildren, saying it was “one for the road”. Even in the end, grandpa ensured each member of his family was happy with their ice cream before he left us. We will miss him. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, August 27, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (218 – 7th Avenue S.E.) on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca or to the South East Whiteshell Volunteer Fire Department, West Hawk Lake, MB, R0E 2H0. Thank you to the Rockyview General Hospital, Unit 73 for making our grandpa’s final days comfortable. In living memory of the Rev. Arthur Wilcox, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.