Arnold MASSEY Obituary

Our dear Dad died peacefully at home with his family by his side, letting him know how much we love him, as he took his final breaths on August 19th, 2024. Adoring father to Arnold, Heather (Brian) and Seana (Ian), Dad will also forever be in the hearts of his beloved partner of the past 12 years Carole and her daughter Jenny (Peter) and our Mom, Gladys. His "funny" grandad jokes will be missed by Phoebe, Jack and Catherine; Tessa and Nathan; and Cole and Monty. He is predeceased by his wife of 21 years, Jane; his parents Arnold and Dorothy, sister Carol; and many cherished dogs. Born in Toronto, Dad attended Whitney Public School before heading to Trinity College School in Port Hope where he enjoyed some of the happiest years of his life and made lifelong friends. Possibly fonder of sports than academics, he was Captain of the Squash Team then later a Toronto and Ontario Junior Squash Champion, and a Dragon Class Sailboat bronze medalist with his dad at the 1959 PanAm Games. Dad met our Mom while both were at Trinity College, U of T where they were also married in 1961 before moving to Winnipeg (and with it, the arrival of Arnold Jr.). Here Dad embarked on a 30-year long career at McLeod Young Weir that also took them to Regina (and the arrival of Heather) before they settled back in Toronto (and the arrival of Seana). A year after Scotiabank bought the firm, Dad retired as SVP and Director only to quickly don a new hat as proprietor of Massey Travel Services in Port Hope where he had purchased a hilltop home. "The farm" with its vibrant social network, including the Topless Tour Group and his famous Hopeless Classic Curling turned Bowling Tournament, quickly became Dad's favourite place to be with Jane, whom he married in 1989, and then his sweet Carole whom he met on a blind date in 2012 and the rest, as they say, is history. Dad was an avid traveller to numerous countries be it via car, bike, train, RV, ship, plane, moped, and even parachute. A lover of all sports, he was rarely without his baseball cap and could often be found in his season ticket seats cheering on all of Toronto's major league teams, as well as at all Mirvish musical productions and the pops series at the TSO. He enjoyed his friends and communities at the Badminton & Racquet Club, RCYC, Toronto Golf Club, Whiff of Grape, and in his retirement, The Toronto Hunt Club (for the lobster dinners!) Dad was a true gentleman with a big heart and generous spirit. Giving back was something he believed in deeply, and many charities benefitted from that, as did friends and family. He was curious and enjoyed nothing better than to chat with anyone who would pull up a chair – young or old. He endured many physical hardships throughout his life including the loss of an eye, depression, amputated leg and toes, heart and lung issues, but he never, ever complained. He was as easy-going as they come, had a great sense of humour, and was a charmer to boot. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sinclair Mills, caregivers Andrew and Marguerite, and his many doctors over the past decade. A funeral service will be held at Rosedale United Church (159 Roxborough Drive) on Monday, August 26th at 11:30 a.m. In the spirit of Dad's philanthropy, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sprint Senior Care – HouseCalls Fund (www.sprintseniorcare.org/donate) or to a Charity of Your Choice. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. We love you, Dad.