Obituary of Arthur Miskelly

Miskelly, at London Health Science Centre-Westminster Campus on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Arthur Thomas Miskelly of Aylmer in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Marjorie (Stephens) (McCord) Miskelly and the late Norma (Booth) Miskelly(1977). Dear father Sharon Barbier and husband Robert of R.R.#2, Aylmer, Tom Miskelly of Aylmer and Bob Miskelly and wife Debbie of Oakville. Step-father of Gary McCord of Nova Scotia, Sherry Marlatt and husband Jim of Windsor and Dennis McCord and wife Tammy of Pt. Burwell. Brother of Walter and wife Pat, Maude Ranson and husband Vince, Doug and wife Pat, Larry and wife Dorothy, Gordon and wife Linda and brother-in-law of Edith Rudnicki, Barbara Young, Jane Booth and Murray Stephens and wife Jean. He will be sadly missed by 15 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Born in Vittoria, Ontario on August 2, 1927 son of the late Jack and Lotta (Bye) Miskelly. Art was a partner of Booth Transport. He was a Past Master of Malahide Masonic Lodge #140, a 25 year Shriner and Past President of the Oriental Band. Art served on Aylmer Council and County Council and was a Past President of the Aylmer Kinsmen Club. Friends may call at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, John Street North, Aylmer on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 11:00 am. Interment, Aylmer Cemetery. Rev. Adele Miles, officiating. Donations to the Shriner's Hospital for Chrippled Children or the Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Masonic Service Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. www.kebbelfuneralhome.com Eulogy - Dad In looking back at Dad's life, there are various words that describe the type of person he was, words such as, trust, values, integrity, funny, clichés, debater, loving, caring, giving, devoted, dedicated are a few that come to mind. Important to Dad were family, friends, happiness, the privacy of his life and ensuring he made his contribution in society to help mankind. Today we not only gather to mourn his loss, but also to celebrate, remember and honour his life Because Dad knew so many people during the various stages of his life, I thought it would be fitting for a panoramic view of his life. Dad was born August 2, 1927 at home in a small village near Port Dover and was the eldest of 6 children. There were many stories Dad told me about his child hood, but I fondly remember the one about him and his school chums playing hockey in the winter on one of the local farmer's ponds. Only one of his school chums could afford skates, while everyone else wore boots. His school chum went on to play professional hockey in the NHL, with the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dad lost contact with Red Kelly after he left the Simcoe - Dover area, but always had fond memories of his childhood days with Red. At the age of 15 Dad quit school and went to work at a tire shop in Simcoe. Shortly after, he left that job and started driving truck for Charlie Booth's trucking operation in Simcoe. It was here where Dad met our mother and his first wife Norma, who was Charlie's eldest daughter. Dad and Mom were married in 1949 and had three children (Sharon, Tom and myself) In 1956 Dad's father in law, Charlie Booth expanded his business when he purchased the trucking business of Ray Chalk and Sons' in Aylmer. My grandfather, Charlie had asked Dad to move to Aylmer where he would assume the management of the operation. Dad was a very hard worker and the business continued to flourish for many years under his guidance and direction. In later years, Dad and my uncle Bob Booth purchased the business. In 1958 Dad was diagnosed with Diabetes. He was not going to be side lined by this disease, so he changed his life style and learned to live with it as best he could. There were many challenges over the years but he tackled then all head on. He never gave up. Over the years Dad became involved in the Aylmer community with the many service clubs and organizations as well as the political scene. He was President of the Kinsmen Club, a member of the curling club, the Masonic Lodge, a Shriner and a member of the Oriental Band. He also supported the Minor Hockey Association financially as well as volunteering to coach the many hockey teams, Tom and I played on. In terms of the political scene, he was a Town Councilor and County Coucilor, a Reeve and Deputy Reeve for 10 + years and active in the Conservative Party. I recall how proud Dad was at one time, when he learned Premier Larry Grossman was coming to town and needed a place to " hang out at" for 4 or 5 hours. Dad opened his home to Premier Grossman and enjoyed the time he spent with him. For downtime, Dad loved fishing. In 1954 my Grandfather had purchased a marina on Long Point Bay in St Williams Ontario. As children we essentially lived at the Bay for most summers. Dad had purchased a boat so he could take us fishing at the Bay. We spent numerous hours fishing, swimming and water skiing. A tradition for Dad every June was for him and his fishing buddies to take off to the French River for a week of solid fishing. He looked forward to that trip each year. As grandchildren came on the scene, Dad thought it would be good to get them into fishing and so there were various trips to the Bay and the French River. In 1977 tragedy struck our lives, with the loss of our mother. This was a difficult time period for Dad and a concern by us for his health. Dad's culinary skills were great and key to him meeting this new challenge in his life. Many people experienced Dad's home made bread and apple pies over the years, as he freely shared them. His long time Doctor, - Doctor Miller and his wife Iola used to love receiving Dad's home made bread. At one time I asked him for the bread recipe and he told me it was a little of this and a little of that. A new measurement standard, that I could not master. In 1981 Dad remarried to Marj and another phase in his life began. Marj is a tremendous person and has been great for Dad and our family. Dad's drive for life had been rejuvenated with Marj. In 1983 with deregulation of the trucking industry in full swing and competition fierce, Dad and my uncle made the difficult decision to sell the transport business, which meant the end of the family era. The business was sold to Bruce Smith of Simcoe, and at the age of 56 Dad decided partial retirement was in order. Dad continued to operate trucks and drivers for the Carnation until 1987 when they finally called it a day. All of us wondered at the time, what this active man would do in full retirement, as Marj was still working at the Post Office. We knew he could only do so much fishing. Much to our surprise, Dad got involved in woodworking. (I mean big time) He converted ½ of his garage into a wood working shop and began to turn out great pieces of furniture. He would travel to various woodworking trade shows in southern Ontario and purchased the latest gadget that he needed. There probably isn't a grandchild or family member that does not have something that came from Dad's shop. In fact, I think there are a couple of chairs in the church here that Dad had taken apart and rebuilt. Marj and Dad had an active life together and traveled to various parts of Canada and the United States. Their last trip was two years ago, when my Uncle Doug and Aunt Pat took Marj and Dad to Alaska on a cruise. Although struggling to walk and somewhat confined to a wheel chair, it did not stop Dad from having a great time. He continued to talk about that trip for many months after. He was intrigued by the fact you could take ice right out of the water and put it in your drink and it lasted for a long time. The past 7 years of Dad's life have been difficult, as he endured many hospital stays, visits to doctors and 16 operations. Through it all he never gave up. He was not a quitter. Throughout all of this, Marj was by his side with never ending support and love. Marj - you're a saint and from Sharon, Tom, and I, thank you, thank you, thank you for your unending support and dedication. As Dad's life was nearing it's end on Sunday - I mentioned to Marj that he had had a great life. Her reply to me was that he had given her a great life, to which I replied, he had given all of us a great life. T