It is with great sadness we the family of Ken McArthur announce his peaceful passing in his 90th year on July 19, 2014 at the Northumberland Veterans Unit, Pictou. Born in Wyvern, Cumberland County on January 19, 1924, he was a son of the late Len & Eva (MacDonald) McArthur. Ken joined the service in 1941 and served overseas in England, France, Holland and Germany with the 23rd Armored Tank Division until he was wounded in battle at Hochwald in 1945. Ken was one of few that still had his original tank (Greta) and the only original crew member to survive the landing on Juno Beach. Upon his return to Canada he purchased a farm in Meadowville where he met his wife Margaret (Clark) and they married in 1950. He was a farmer, woodsman, truck driver and sawmill operator. He also loved horses (a trait he inherited from his father) and always had a horse which he used for logging. Ken loved to hunt, fish and play cribbage. He was a valued member of the community who was always there to help family, friends and neighbors. He was instrumental in the reinstatement of the Halifax Rifles in May of 2009 and was proud to attend the reinstatement ceremony. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16, Pictou. Ken is survived by his wife Margaret (Clark), Sundridge; son Gary (Terri Betts) Pictou; grandchildren Carmen & Kyle; daughter Linda (Gary Gregory) Lyons Brook; grandchildren, Chris, Coady and Cory (Tannis Cheney); great-grandchildren Kamren & Aaliyah; sisters Margaret Langille, Marshville; and Ruth Cahoon, Riverview, N. B. ; sisters-in-laws, Betty and Dale McArthur. Ken was predeceased by brothers, Bud, Newton and Leo, brother-in-laws Coonie Cahoon, and Sandy Langille, and sister-in-laws Joyce and Sadie. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM, funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2 PM both in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou with Rev. Jim Webber-Cook officiating. Burial will be in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens. Reception to follow at Branch 16 Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans Drive, Pictou Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16, Pictou will meet at the funeral home at 6:45 PM Tuesday to conduct their service. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Northumberland Veterans Unit, Pictou. Special thanks to Dr. Cooper and staff of the Veterans Unit for their care, support and compassion.
A family well loved, a country well served and a life well lived