Mr. Arthur Skidmore

Arthur Skidmore, born June 17, 1922 in Lethbridge, Alberta, to his parents, Mabel and Ernest Skidmore, passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at home, with his family by his side in West Vancouver.

Predeceased by his darling wife, Elsie and his brothers Ernie and Herb, Art is survived by his two sons, Allan and his wife Clarice, and Tom and his wife Lorraine; grandchildren, Garry (Kirsten), Cary (Natasha), Brian, Lisa, Cindy (Jared); great grandchildren, Cameron, Meghan, Alex, Erik, Carter, Jullian and Veronica; many nephews and nieces; and his two dedicated "girls", sisters Chero Vee and Sheila who unselfishly cared for him for over 10 years. Art has lived in the Vancouver area since 1946 when in March of that year, he arrived home from WW II having served in the Canadian Army Postal Corps overseas; 2 weeks later opened an auto glass shop in New Westminster with his brother Herb which over the years grew into the largest auto replacement glass chain in Canada; Trans Canada Glass, Speedy Glass, Apple Auto Glass and LeBeau group; 3 months later on June 20, 1946, Art married his sweetheart Elsie (nee McLellan), remaining true to her and in love for over 54 years. Throughout his nearly 89 years of living, Art never allowed his mind to retire, maintaining his office to the end while generously sharing his wisdom and experiences with others. He served as a valued director of GLENTEL Inc since 1989. Art was awarded the Jubilee Queen's Medal and was inducted into the Order of British Columbia, O.B.C.. Art was known as a skilled entrepreneur, builder, negotiator and philanthropist. He loved to help others and mentor young people. Art has been a faithful and supportive member of Glad Tidings Church since 1946 including over 30 years as a church board member. A tender heart for poverty stricken children of India and Africa over the years, he was determined to make a positive difference locally and abroad during his life, giving freely of himself, his time, talent and treasure. Many thanks to Art's family doctor, Dr. Cheng and the dedicated medical staff at Lions Gate Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital renal unit, Dr. Jamal, and Nurse Next Door, Daye, Johanna, Ann and Cecilia, who provided to our Dad, exceptional care, support and encouragement in recent months; to Sheila, well done! Art will be dearly missed by his family and friends, especially his domino friends, Nelsons, Dangerfields, Malins. He loved and cherished his friendships old and new, no matter their age group, social status or ethnic background. He was a compassionate man and an inspiration to many. Art was a man of deep faith, humility, generosity, integrity, ethics, good character with a positive attitude, who lived out daily what he truly believed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, April 26 at Glad Tidings Church, 3456 Fraser Street, Vancouver, B.C., with a reception to follow. (A Visitation will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC on Monday, April 25th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm) In lieu of flowers, donations to missionofmercy.ca for the Art Skidmore Mercy Center for Children located near Calcutta, India, are greatly appreciated; or a donation may be directed to Glad Tidings Missionary Society, Vancouver, B.C., designated to the Art Skidmore Memorial School, providing education and care to orphaned children in Uganda, Africa. Any donation is gratefully received and appreciated.