Cardiff

Arnold was the epitome of a good friend and the gold standard of the biblical concept of a good neighbour. I regret never having nominated him for citizen of the year, but he deserved it. He was a man of few words but many great (unnoticed) deeds. He was a helpful person, whether in our church family, or in the neighbourhood. Arnold would cut grass for the church and parsonage, water flowers, shovel snow--also for the businesses across from his residence, at 3 a.m. if needs be. He'd never voice a complaint. He had wonderful solutions to problems. He built my family a stationary bike; he taught my son & a friend to tap the maples in the backyard for sap, which they'd collect & my wife would boil down into syrup; help in our garden, babysit our pets. He was like a grandfather to our kids. A man of simple needs, Arnold ate the same meals (tins of pink salmon) , even transplant a stalk of celery inside for the winter & use it up, piece by piece. He had a quiet sense of humour, always being the first of the season to have his artifical flowers sprout in the garden in early spring. When he accidently cut off 3 finger tips cutting grass, after the ER, we were in the pharmacy. Questions abounded from passersby & his reply was, "You should have seen the other guy"! He loved Jesus and knew Jesus'love for him. He'll hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant", from Jesus, before many, many scions of the church. That corner of Renfrew and the community will never be the same with his passing, but heaven is better now.