June 18, 1930 - December 3, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur Frederick Vanidour of Nanaimo, B.C. on December 3rd, 2022.
Arthur is predeceased by his father, Frederick C, and his mother Helen Vanidour.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beverley (Lewis), sister Vivian (Rod) Pridham of Kelowna B.C., three children, Ronald (Rita) Vanidour, Nancy Vanidour, Darcie Kerkhoven, 7 grandchildren, Jason (Amber), Christopher (Char), Corey (Mihaela) Vanidour, Spencer and Mallory (Adam) Pool, Adrian and Marlies Kerkhoven and 7 great-grandchildren.
Arthur was born and educated in Kelowna and attended 3 years post Secondary at UBC, taking Civil Engineering. He spent some years with the BC Forest Service and was employed for 30 years by Nanaimo School District #68 as Director of Properties until his retirement in 1992.
In his younger years, Art's passions included being in the wilderness, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and fishing. He also obtained his pilot's license and flew clients into the B.C. wilderness as a fishing guide. Art also had a passion for motorcycles and was an accomplished pianist although he did not play much in his later life.
Arthur was also a skilled woodworker and carpenter and actually built two of his own boats which he used to explore scenic Vancouver Island coastal waters and Mainland BC inlets.
Not only was he an avid boater and fisherman, but, in the 80"s, he and the whole family took up the sport of scuba diving and thus had many more exciting adventures together.
Arthur was a trustee of Harewood Improvement District, a member of Nanaimo Rotary Club (honorary), a member of Nanaimo Golf Club, The Oddfellows Badminton Club, Nanaimo Squash Club, past commander of Nanaimo Power Squadron and past president of Nanaimo Track and Field Club. As a Rotary member, Arthur acted as a liaison between the Rotary Club and the School Board for the construction of the Rotary Bowl which is utilized by many clubs to date.
Post-retirement some of Art's hobbies included wine making, golfing, cooking, hot tubbing, computers, genealogy, woodworking, hydroponics, vegetable gardening and travelling the world with Bev and their good friends from the Sorority club.
Art will be remembered for his dry witty humor, his plethora of knowledge and life experiences, his Friday night Rusty nails and so much more.
As per Arthur's wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
We will miss him dearly.