It is with deep sadness that we share the loss of Arthur James Hustins on February 5, 2023, in Halifax. Husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. Art lived a full and passionate life with family and close friends, and his entrepreneurial spirit burned bright at the centre of it all.
Art was the eldest son of the late Arthur James and Dorothy (Innes) Hustins. He was born on August 22, 1937, in Bedford Nova Scotia, at the time a small community known as the “traditional stopping place” for travellers coming to and from Halifax. Art attended Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in hospitality management. He put his education to good use as he followed in the footsteps of his parents, operating the family’s Bedford motels and restaurants, and later developing commercial buildings including Sunnyside Mall and Sun Tower. His boundless entrepreneurial energy led him to founding Sun Radio, as well as a variety of other businesses.
He loved the town of Bedford and contributed to its growth in many ways, including serving on the Bedford Board of Trade and chairing many town improvement initiatives, all focused on making Bedford a more inviting place to live and work. His community service extended beyond Bedford to other regional leadership roles, most notably as Chair of the Site Selection Committee for Halifax Metro Centre (1973) and the Halifax Metro Centre (1974-1979), the Grace Maternity Hospital Special Delivery Capital Campaign (1991-1993), Grace Maternity Hospital Foundation (1994-1996) as well as Vice-Chair of the Nova Scotia Hospital Foundation (1997-2000).
Beyond his business and community endeavours, he was an avid reader with an insatiable interest in political and economic affairs. He loved a good debate! For Art, education and learning was central to living your best life. This extended to international travel, being active in the Bedford United Church, supporting friends, and spending time with his five children and their families. His values were evident in his actions. An avid outdoors person, the woods and water brought him great peace. Spending time fishing in the backwoods, hunting in Newfoundland, playing a round of golf with Valerie or a game of tennis with friends, all brought him great joy. Art lived a long and meaningful life. His final words to his family were, “I’ve come to the end of this road, and I’ve lived a good life.”
Art is survived by his wife Valerie and his five children, Jane Hustins (Roddy Macdonald), Shelley Thomson (Peter Thomson), A.J. Hustins (Gloria Hatfield), Jeannette Hustins (Domenic Dell’Erede), and J.D. Hustins (Carla Hustins); Valerie’s three daughters Mary Rachelle, Amanda and Lindsay and her four grandchildren. He delighted in seeing his own nine grandchildren grow to be amazing adults, and he loved spending time with his great grandchildren, watching the next generation learn and grow. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Dana Patterson.
A celebration of Art’s life will take place on February 16, at 2pm at the Bedford United Church, followed by a reception at the Church. There will be no visitation by request. A donation in Art’s memory may be made to the IWK Foundation or Hospice Halifax. To view the livestream please view through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@bedfordunitedchurch4430/streams
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