Obituary of Arthur Stirling Halpenny

ARTHUR STIRLING HALPENNY

July 10, 1923 – January 2, 2022

Arthur died peacefully at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, Toronto in the presence of his son Tom, ending a long, well-lived life which he filled with love, kindness, service, generosity, adventure and curiosity.  Beloved husband of Dora Louise (Smith), who continues to reside in the Veterans Centre.  Devoted father of Jane Loughborough in Fredericton, John (Ruth) in Rochester, Mary F. Smith (Stephen) in Victoria and Tom (Beth) in Toronto.  Grandfather of Sean and Graham (Keri) Loughborough, Johnathan Halpenny, Christopher (Larissa) and Gregory Smith, Brooke (Mitch) and Dale (Andrew) Halpenny.  Great-grandfather of Rowan and Mira Smith, Emma and Addy Loughborough and Pearson Gillin.  He was predeceased by his sister, Francess Georgina (2017), and parents, James Leroy Halpenny (1958) and Viola Gertrude Westman (1985).  We all will greatly miss this energetic man who delighted in knowing about the ongoing activities of all those in the family network.

Arthur was born in Ottawa and moved to Toronto at age six. He was educated at University of Toronto Schools and graduated from University of Toronto Engineering with a Bachelor of Science. He became an entrepreneur with ambition to seek out new technology and apply it to industrial processes, mostly in the petrochemical area. He applied this technology through a small engineering company that provided several people with interesting and rewarding careers.

He married Dora in June, 1945, just as both were completing their service with the Canadian forces. Their family home was in Toronto. The cottage property on Bone Island, Georgian Bay, is the heart and soul of the Halpenny family. Arthur, together with Dora, has made it possible for the family to know and enjoy this special place.

Participating in and later watching team sports was a lifelong interest for Arthur. He promoted his love and excellence in sports with his entire family, always coaching from behind the bench or in the stands.

As a paratrooper during World War II his joints took a beating. Through several joint replacements, Arthur built a relationship with North York General Hospital and spent many years volunteering in the orthopaedic clinic that helped him so much.

In his spare time Arthur loved hunting and fishing in the wilderness of Canada with longtime friends. He brought back many stories from these trips that we all enjoyed.

The family is truly grateful to the staff of the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre’s Veterans Centre, L and K wings, and the Odette Cancer Centre that provided Arthur with outstanding care.

Donations in memory of Arthur may be made to: The Gulshan and Pyarali G. Nanji Orthopaedic and Plastics Centre at North York General Hospital (nyghfoundation.ca), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (donate.sunnybrook.ca/tribute) or the Georgian Bay Land Trust (https://www.gblt.org/donate-now/).

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