ARTHUR GEORGE HORNBY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ARTHUR GEORGE HORNBY Arthur George Edward Hornby passed away suddenly on June 29. He was born September 15, 1925, in Grace Hospital in Winnipeg to Harriet and Alfred Hornby. He is survived by his wife Mary Evelyn, the love of his life for almost 65 years; his daughter Donna Lynn Fisher of Grand Forks, ND, his sons, Raymond Arthur (Karen) and Gary Edward (Alexandra), four grandchildren, Eric, Lynn, Gwyneth and Colin, sister Aileen, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dennis (Dean) and sisters, Dorothy Matheson and Edith Warwick. In 1941, at age 15, he was hired as an office boy at C.P. Weston Shops. When he turned 16 he was accepted as a machinist apprentice. In 1943, at age 18, the war interrupted his apprenticeship when he joined the RCNVR. On discharge, he returned to complete his apprenticeship; his main love was air brakes. One of his fondest memories was when he was chosen to be the machinist on the Royal Train for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in July of 1970. He became active in the International Association of Machinists, first as a local chairman, then the General Chairman for Western Lines. During this time he worked in the Weston Shops, then transferred to the Winnipeg Round House and finally to the Winnipeg Diesel Shop. In 1971, he took a leave of absence from the railway to hold the position of Secretary-Treasurer of District Lodge #2 of the Machinists' Organization in Canada. He retired in 1985 at age 60, having spent 45 years with the railway and/or Machinists' Organization. He enjoyed travelling with Mary to Hawaii, Florida, England and Scotland, along with many camping trips across Canada. They also enjoyed cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. Since his retirement, he became active in the Canadian Pacific Pensioners' Association in 1987 as recording secretary, then spent three years (1989 - 1992) as the pensioner representative on the C.P. Pension Committee, followed by many years as the corresponding secretary. His main love was his garden, especially his tomato crop (always wanting to have the first ripe tomato). He was very proud of his four grandchildren and loved to spend the time with them when they were young. He enjoyed his daily swimming routine, square dancing, and carpet bowling. He was active in the Eager Beavers Fitness Club and the C.P. Pensioners Association, and was a member/volunteer for the Vintage Locomotive Society. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 02, 2016