Peacefully, at LHSC – University Hospital, London on Thursday, January 5, 2017 of Exeter in his 85th year. Beloved husband of Marion (McIntyre) for more than 63 years. Loving father of Muriel, Wesley (Lisa), Catherine, and Carol. Proud grandfather of Megan (Steve), Cliff (Kayla); Nicole, Ben; Jonathan, Laura; Anne and Elizabeth; and great-grandfather of Lily. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Rowena Tindall of Wiarton, Betty Batchelor of Burnaby, Olga McIntyre of Winnipeg, and Gary (Diane) McIntyre of Kingsville. Predeceased by his son-in-law Peter Calabretta, brothers-in-law Allen Tindall and Bill McIntyre, and parents Lela (Hodgins) and Clifford Abbott. Our gratitude goes to the dedicated physicians, nurses, and staff at LHSC for their excellent and compassionate care over the past few weeks.
Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, Lucan on Sunday afternoon 2-5 PM, where the funeral service will be held on Monday, January 9th at 11 AM with Pastor Paul Vollick officiating. Interment St. James Cemetery, Clandeboye.
Donations to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
Ron Bourne
Marion
I was saddened to learn of Art’s passing. You were my teacher at SS No 2 Biddulph and I remember how Art would come to the school when classes were finished for the day. Doug Solomon and I were your youngest students. I lived next door to the Tyndall family and I often recall those long and lonely walks back and forth to our school.
You have a beautiful family and memories of a lifetime with Art. May you enjoy many more years as mother and grandmother.
Ron Bourne
Bible Hill, NS
George Godbolt
Lois and I send along our condolences. We have been away for some time, hence our tardy response. Art was a gentleman in the true sense of the word and he will be missed
George and lois Godbolt
Elaine Ford
My sympathy to you and your family Marion. So sorry to learn of Arts passing away.
Huda Hussein
Dear Muriel and family,
Please accept our sincere sympathies on the passing away of your father. Memories left behind will live on in your hearts and lives. May his soul rest in peace.
Diane (Young), Phil and Jessica Davis
Sorry to hear about Art’s passing. I remember seeing Art at the races when I was younger helping my dad with his horses ( George Young). Art always had a smile. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Batchelor
Dear Aunt Marion and cousins Muriel,Wesley,Catherine and Carol and the rest of your families – we were very sad to hear of Uncle Art’s passing – he will be missed more than you know. We did not get to visit very much but always enjoyed the times we were able to visit with any of the family. It is very difficult losing someone you love so we hope you find comfort in all the good memories. Uncle Art had a great sense of humour and will be remembered fondly. One thing I won’t forget is being a city girl and coming to visit the farm. Art said I should come out and check the bees in their hives but I said I would need a beekeeper suit to cover me – he tried to tell me it would not be necessary as they would not bother me – I might have believed that if not for the bee sting on his lip (and the laughter in his eyes)!
Our sincerest condolences and know our thoughts are with you and thanks for the picture memories.
Love Nancy & Lori
Fred & Sharon Mardlin
Marion & family –
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Art. It has been many years since I have seen him, however there are many memories of you folks when I lived back at Whalen. We extend our deepest sympathy to your family at this sad time.
Fred & Sharon (Hodgins) Mardlin
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership
Dear Muriel,
Deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership
Deanna Beatson
Marion and family,
News of Art’s death brought us much sadness. His unfailing kindness, his delightful humour and genuine interest in others endeared him to everyone, especially his fellow horsemen. He will be sadly missed. May we offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. God Bless you all. Don, Deanna and Kenn Beatson
John Jewitt
I was sorry to here of Arts passing. Although you were often in competition he was always interested in how you made out.
Elaine Homick
Really sorry about Art’s passing and I feel bad I wasn’t able to attend the funeral. I have a lot of good memories of Art. The pictures brought back a lot of good memories of the family. Will keep in touch.
Les & Ellen Abbott
Marion & Family,
It was so nice to see you and Art at Mom’s service in November. I had a great chance to catch up and enjoy the quiet and soft spoken kindness of Art.
We are very sorry to hear of his passing. We hope he was able to enjoy his life until the end.
Time has flown by so very quickly. It seems like just last year the two of you were visiting Edmonton. I know you will have many wonderful memories to keep in your heart.
We have enjoyed all the great family pictures.
Les & Ellen Abbott
Roy & Nancy Pullman
Marion and Family – So sorry to hear about Art’s passing. Although it has been many years, I fondly remember Art and his smile and the sparkle in his eyes with always something funny to say. As neighbours across the road on the farm, along with my brother, Ron , I remember on Christmas Eve one year with very little snow, our mom pointed out some airplane flashing lights overhead and very soon after that “Santa” (Art) arrived in his full Santa costume and beard. Didn’t know it was him until years later, but I was absolutely convinced at the time that Santa had landed his plane down the road and visited us that night!
Our deepest Sympathies. Roy & Nancy Pullman
Yvonne Elliott
To Marion, Muriel, Wes, Catherine & Carol & Families
My condolences to all of you at the loss of Art..your husband and Dad. You have lost a treasure in your family. His quiet, friendly manner and smile was a constant.
We drive by your old place often and I think or your family and of the many times our school bus stopped at the end of your lane.
Let your memories carry you through the coming days, weeks and years ahead.
Sincerely, Yvonne (Jaques) Elliott
Lynda and Gary Pettit
Dear Wes. Lisa and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Wes we are saddened by the loss of your father. Sincerely Jack and Shirley, Gary and Lynda Pettit and family.
Mary and George Young
Sorry to hear about Art’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Karen Brock
Marion & Family
I was so sorry to hear of Art’s passing. He was always full of fun, a joke or two, and lots of teasing. He was also very proud of his family. He will be missed. You have my deepest sympathy at this sad time.
Marjory Wellman
I was very sad to hear of my uncle’s passing. Very sad. Looking at the pictures though brings back some good memories of his life….it must have been hard to choose some as there was so much he did. Will remember his smile and sense of humour and kindness and hospitality.
Don and Judy Squire
In our memories Art will always remain a gentle man with a twinkle in his eyes who loved to tease and to talk horses. Our sympathy to you all,
Don and Judy Squire
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
Sorry to learn of Art’s passing. Always enjoyed talking to him at TJ’s on Sunday mornings about his horses and the horse show in Province Bay.
Patti Swartz
Marion and Family
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time.
Patti Swartz and Dan Regier
Bob and Lorette Mawson
So sorry to hear of Arts passing , we will always remember his friendly smile at the track , losing a great horseman today . He will be missed.
Jim Gaunt
Dear Marion..We are sorry to hear of Art’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ev and Jim Gaunt
Harry Hardy
Our sincere sympathy. Our thoughts are with your family. Art was always a good neighbour, with a smile a joke or quip. Many good memories, stories and pranks with local neighbours.
Joyce Sovereign
I was sorry to hear of Art’s death,he was always good for a laugh and little visit when ever l saw you two.Have enjoyed all the great pictures of your family.To you Marion,Muriel,Wesley ,Catherine and Carol l send my sympathy to you all ,and his grandchildren as well,l’ m sure he was a fun Grandpa.
Mabel Needham
Muriel and Family
So sorry to hear of Art’s passing .He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this very sad time . The weather is not co-operating for me to come today .
Teresa & Jeff Young
Marion and family Our deepest sympathy at your time of loss
Brett Lammie
Marion and family.
I was pretty young but my memories of spending time at the farm are ones that I will never forget. I remember watching mom, dad you and Art playing cards at the kitchen table, coming to your place for a swim on a hot summer day and spending a week helping out at the farm while mom and dad were away. Art had a great sense of humour and frequently gave me a good laugh. I’ll remember him as a very nice man.
Brett & Emilie Lammie
Sandra (McLellan) & Larry Hern
Dear Marion and family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Art. He was a good neighbour to our family on the Whalen Line, and I had a nice visit with him a while back one day, in Dr. Jadd’s waiting room . I always admired his smile and that twinkle in his eye. May all your good memories made over the years help to replace the sadness you feel in your hearts today.
Helen Swartz, Steve & Brenda (Swartz) Thomson
Marion & Family. Our deepest sympathies to all of you on the passing of Art. Will always remember his visits to the farm. Big smile and quick wit. May the wonderful memories help you through the coming days. Hugs from Helen Swartz, Steve & Brenda (Swartz) Thomson
Bob Lammie
Marion and family.
We are so sorry to hear of Art’s passing. He was a good friend, a proud husband, father and grandfather. Cherish the many fond memories, and gain strength from each other.
Bob and Kathy Lammie
Cheryl Seguin
Cate very sorry to hear about your Dad . Thinking of you and your family during this very sad time
Sharon Abel
Dear Muriel, Megan and Cliff We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved dad and granddad. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Rick, Sharon, Erin and Bryan Abel xo
Doug & Dorothy Stephen
Our sympathy goes out to your and your family during this difficult time. May God grant comfort to you and your family in your time of sorrow.
Doug & Dorothy Stephen.
Heather Kelly
Muriel, Megan and Cliff and family. I’m so very sorry for the loss of your Dad and grandfather. Even when you know it’s coming, there is no preparing for the finality and the terrible sense of loss. Be kind and gentle with yourselves and know many people are loving and thinking of you. Love Heather and Bill.
Melonie Miller
Marion and family….
Our deepest sympathy… Art was a regular customer a few years ago, buying horse feed, his contagious smile and constant teasing to Janet, Laura & I .
Your good neighbours will miss him. And your genuine interest in Coles health and Dr Stillers book..
the Abbotts .. a good family
Barry, Melonie & Laura Miller
jim morrissey
Dear Marion and Family, So sorry to hear the sad news of Art’s passing. Jim and I have many fond memories and enjoyed his company. He will be missed by many. Our deepest sympathy. Jim & Lorna Morrissey
Olga McIntyre
Dear Marion:
My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time.
I have many fond memories of your visits. Although they were infrequent due to distance it was always a pleasure to spend time with you and Art. I remember Art for his sense of humor, usually accompanied with a twinkle in his eye, and his engaging personality. May the memories of 63 years of marriage sustain you at this time.
With deepest sympathy:
Olga McIntyre
Jo-Anne Hodgins
To Muriel, a dear school friend, My deepest condolences to you and your family. It has been so many years since I have seen you, but it is at times such as these that childhood memories come flooding in. Again, my deepest sympathy, Jo-Anne ( Burke) Hodgins
Lori Batchelor
Dear Aunt Marion, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Uncle Art very well, but I remember he was always very kind. I appreciated his fondness for horses and bees. To you, and my cousins, Muriel, Wesley, Catherine, and Carol and their families, I wish peace…
Brenda (Parsons) Martene
Dear Marion & Family:
There are never enough words to express my heartfelt sympathy during this extremely difficult time. My heart breaks for all of you. May the loving memories you have of Art live on in all of your hearts forever and help you through the difficult days ahead. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
I fondly remember Art from my younger years when he used to board his horses at my parents farm, “Jack Parsons Stables” just outside of Exeter. Art was quite a character. He loved to tease and joke around with me and my siblings. He enjoyed small talk, coffee and donuts while taking a break either from jogging or cleaning out horse stalls. He used to tease my mother, who always insisted on sweeping up the barn floors, that her floors were so clean you could almost eat off them. I remember him up until he no longer owned any horses and retired from standardbred racing. He would occasionally come back to the barn to catch up on the latest gossip or to let everyone know the stories he had heard. I remember him as a very happy, sometimes quiet, gentle and kind man who loved his family and horses very much along with the horse racing business. The entire Parsons family is going to miss Art and will be keeping your entire family in our thoughts and prayers.
May God keep you in his loving arms, as you grieve and celebrate Art’s life. Art’s suffering is now over and he is resting in peace. You have so many wonderful family, friends, neighbours and community behind you, supporting you to help you through the healing process. With deepest sympathy and HUGS to all !
Brenda (Parsons) Martene
Phyllis Taylor Fox
Dear Muriel and family, so sorry to hear you have lost your husband, dad, grandfather, and great grandfather,his passing will leave a huge hole in your hearts forever but he has left a great legacy, you his lovely family and I’m sure he’s smiling down upon you from above with great pride and love. Wish I could have some wonderful words of sympathy to ease yoursorrow but there are none. Just know he loved you as much as you loved him and there’s no greater gift than that..
Sincerely, phyllis Taylor Fox
Ken and Shirley (He wood} Simpson
Marion, Muriel, Wes, Catherine,Carol and families.
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Art. He loved his family, he loved his many friends and he loved having a lot of fun with lots of teasing and laughter. Many good times spent playing cards and great conversation around the kitchen table at the farm. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Don & Edith Lewis
Marion and Family
We are sorry to see the passing of Art , he was always friendly with a smile,
He will be missed by all, Cherish your lovely memories and he will always be with you..
Our condolence to you all.
Don and Edith (Carter) Lewis & family
Laura Ladouceur
Dear Cate, and all of the Abbott family,
We want you to know that Bob and I are thinking of you. We love the photos and it is clear that your Dad was an exceptional man, with a wonderful personality and range of interests and talents. We know you are a close family and will support one another with the grief of your loss. A quote recently shared with us seems fitting because of your love of him:
” Our joys will be greater, our love will be deeper, our life will be fuller, because we shared your moment.”
Sincerely, Laura Ladouceur and Bob Gough
George & Ann (Zubal) Spearin
Dear Marion & Family.
We were saddened to hear of Arts passing.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Margaret and Don Watt
Marion and family
Thinking of you all at this sad time,Cherish the memories that you have made over the years.Art was always a great help in planning our Hodgins reunions . His input and interest in family history past and present will be missed
Don and Margaret Watt
Ray and Judy Mills
Marion, Muriel, Wes, Catharine and Carol & families;
Our deepest sympathy at this time. We were very surprised to hear this sad news. I remember Art as a happy, smiling, friendly person. He always had something witty to say and enjoyed hearing and seeing your reaction. He was a great chauffeur for you, Marion, over the last few years as your eyesight began to give you problems. Art did not seem to mind sitting and waiting and watching the customers come and go. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
Joyce Black
Marion and family – Sending sincere sympathy to everyone in the passing of Art. No matter where we met, he always had a big smile and time for a chat. He will be missed by everyone. I enjoyed looking at the pictures and Take care.
Linda Abbott timmons
So very sorry to hear the sad news about Art. He will be having quite a visit with my mom and dad, Clayton and Velma Abbott, along with other family members and friends who have gone before……whenever we would be visiting from California, we always enjoyed a visit with Art! There was always lots of laughter and many fun stories from the good old days!!
My deepest condolences and love to Marion and family,
Linda Abbott Timmons
Wendi Schwindt
Marion and family…I am so sorry to hear of Art’s passing. I always enjoyed our chats at the bank and remembering our call to jury duty. Deepest sympathy… keeping you in my prayers.
Hugh Davis
My deepest sympathy goes to you Marion and your family, my neighbor and friend
RON AND GLENDA LINDENFIELD
To Abbott Family
So sorry to hear the sad news, our condolences, keep all those great memories in your heart
Ron and Glenda, Rob Lindenfield
Donna ( Heywood ) Regier
So sorry to hear of Arts passing, he was a most enjoyable man, always teasing,a huge ear to ear grin that was perpetual.He will be greatly missed by everyone. I know you have many wonderful memories, Marion and your entire family, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.Hugs ?
Gord
Good friend & good horseman, always had a smile . . . will be missed at the track . . .
Gord & Jean Young
George and Melody Yungblut
Our deepest condolences to all of you, from George and Melody. Your Dad was a great fella,,,just enjoyed everything life had to offer, as I remember. I am so glad that you had submitted all the pictures,,,,I looked over them several times. I am sure you are going to miss him very much, but look at all the beautiful memories you have to fall back on. Mom (Madeline) was fond of him, and the whole family. There is not a day goes by that I do not think of her,,,,just as you will think of Art,,,,but a wonderful life he had. Again, our deepest sympathy. Love, George and Melody.