John Robert MacArthur

August 21, 1951 – September 23, 2019

“This to shall Pass” was one of his favorite sayings, and it did.

John departed on September 23, 2019 peacefully at home in his favorite chair with his son and wife by his side.
John chose MAiD, (Medical Assistance in Dying). For good reason, he didn’t believe he was placed on earth to soldier through years of pain. When faced with death he accepted it as his final piece of the circle of his life. I walked alongside a man who believed in a higher power and the journey was of inspiration, courage, and love. Like Josh Groban’s song “ I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be.” That is what John did. When asked how he was, he was always “awesome and unbelievable”. Was John perfect, no. But
every day was a new day and a new opportunity to improve. John was an anomaly considering what he was living through! He was blessed with a quick wit that would have you in a belly laugh now! That wit never ceased and was there right through to the end. Stating: “I hope I don’t get Air Canada when I die!”

It is with deep love that we celebrate the life of John MacArthur.
John was the son of the late Stewart and Ruth (Taylor) MacArthur. John was born in Truro, Nova Scotia and spent his first 15 years there going to Willow Street Elementary School. The family moved to Halifax in 1966, where they lived for 5 years, and then moved back to Truro.
John attended Kings College School in Windsor, Nova Scotia where he was a Bugler in the Cadet Corps’ band. He left high school to attend the Constance Spry School of Floral Design in England, on graduating he came home to marry his first wife Donna Mills, and work for the Truro Florist for a few years. In 1973 John and his brother Jim opened MacArthur Brothers Photofinishing. After a successful few years they closed their business and John went on to work for Carsand-Mosher photographic as their Portrait Retoucher and Print restorer.

John’s extreme love and passion was for Cars and Racing and more Cars. Driving with him was like being the interviewer in a popular car and driver show, with a flood of rich and wonderful tales from his racing days in the east coast and plenty of history and facts about any vehicle around us on the road. He was a member of the Alantic Sports Car Club. He obtained his Competition Drivers Licence from the Competition Driving School in Debert in 1971 and raced his 1968 Cortina. At the end of first year racing he was awarded rookie of the year for Atlantic Canada. In 1983 he competed with Super Kart at Atlantic Motorsport Park near Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. “Driving gave me peace, it was like meditating and being at one with the car.” “There is no difference from the flesh and the metal,” he would reminisce.

John was a “Natural Artist” and a self-taught Calligraphist. It was his interest in Art that moved him from Nova Scotia, to Brampton, Ontario, where he enrolled in a 3 year Design and Illustration course at Sheridan College. John was offered an opportunity at the end of second year to work for the ad agency The Cohen Group. His professor at the time advised him to take the position as his skills exceeded anything they could further teach him. After a successful career in the art industry, John retired and packed up and moved to Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia with his wife and son. Once settled in Ladysmith he was hired on the spot by Ken, the owner of LACool West Coast Clothing, as his head Graphic Artist. Little did they know at the time, that their relationship would become a lifelong friendship. John loved change and in 2001, he embarked on a very successful 18 year career with Primerica Financial Services, where he was able to embrace his life’s philosophy, “always treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

John is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 31 years, Jill (Goodman, Eyemoto) MacArthur, Victoria, BC; and beloved son Ayrton MacArthur, Cobble Hill , BC; His brother Jim and Lyn (Patriquin) MacArthur, Hilden, NS; 3 Nephews: John Goodman and Marcie (Parkin), Ladysmith,BC, Taylor MacArthur and Stephanie (Harvie), Truro,NS, John MacArthur and Catherine (Basar), Montreal, QC; Sister-in-Law, Bunny Goodman (Palmer), Ladysmith, BC; 1 Niece, Jennifer Macknak (Goodman) and Wade, LadySmith, BC; Several great nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his parents, Stewart and Ruth (Taylor) MacArthur; his first wife Donna (Mills) MacArhthur; and great niece Lilly MacArthur, Truro, NS; In-laws Johnny and Irene (McCallum) Goodman; brother-in-law John Goodman, Ladysmith, BC.

Thank you to everyone that was involved in John’s well being for the past 4 years, and the special people that were present and involved with his farewell journey, our gratitude for all of you, is beyond any words and so deeply appreciated.

Ashes were spread on Chesterman Beach, Tofino, BC

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