November 12, 1924 - March 12, 2023
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Arthur Henry Boon, age 98 on March 12, 2023. He is survived by his two sons, Art and Rick, Grandchildren Mackenzie, Ryan, Jamie, Mikaila, and Madison, Great granddaughter Birkley, and daughter-in-Laws Laura Boon and Kim Boon. Arthur’s wife Lois (nee Pope) left his side after 63 years of marriage on Feb. 13, 2019. Now they will be reunited in heaven. Arthur led a remarkable life. He knew his role in this world was to serve his country with dedication and pride, his community with respect and care, and his family with love and kindness. Never did he waver from these ideals.
Arthur joined the war effort at the age 15 and eventually ended up going overseas with the 19th Canadian Army Field Regiment (SP). His first action in the war was at the invasion on D Day (June 6/44). He would fight in many battles up the coast of France, through Belgium, Holland and eventually Germany.
Arthur was also a very skilled hockey and baseball player. He was invited to the Detroit Red Wing camp in 1949-1950, but came home to care for his ailing father and family. He played many years of SR. “A” hockey in New Hamburg and later for the CNR shops team that won the Canadian Railroad Championship in Montreal. He continued to play hockey each Sunday night until the age of 84.
Arthur was also a member of the Stratford Nationals Inter-County Baseball League in 1960 until a broken ankle ended his career. That did not stop him as he later played slo-pitch for 20 years until he was 71. He coached minor baseball and was there to watch his sons play their games and also played along with them, throughout the years. He and Lois were always at the hockey, baseball and fastball games of their Grandchildren, too. Arthur had an illustrious military career after the war. He served proudly with the Perth Regiment, 3RCR, and 4RCR working his way up the ranks from private, corporal, Staff Sergeant, Company Sergeant Major, to Chief Warrant Officer. He retired in 1981, but continued to work hard as the Veterans’ Affairs Officer for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 8, Stratford for 35 years. He was honoured to be given his Legion Life Membership and Palm Leaf. He also served as Secretary to the Stratford Pipes and Drums for over 20 years.
In 1974, Arthur was the 45th Canadian to be given the Order of Military Merit from the Governor General in Ottawa, the Order of St. John, and the French Legion of Honour from France. For over 75 years, he organized and played a major role in the Remembrance Day Service in Stratford. Many students within Perth County had the opportunity to listen to Arthur speak about his military efforts as he would annually go into his son’s classes, or speak to entire school groups about the need to recognize the efforts of all veterans past and present and to emphasize that the freedom we have today in Canada came about because of the thousands of Canadian soldiers who gave up their lives in WWI and WWII. This is something he took great pleasure in.
Arthur married the love of his life on May 12, 1956 (Lois Pope). Together they raised Art and Rick to respect those around them and to live a good, honest life. He loved to sit and share his thoughts and stories with anyone who was inquiring. His ability to retain facts, names of places, events, and people was truly amazing to all that listened each and every time.
The world we live in will never be the same, but one thing is for sure, that being, we are all such better people having known Arthur or having him in our lives.
STAND AT EASE……….STAND EASY DAD.
Special thanks goes out to Doctor Peter Brooks for all of his care over the years and the nurses on the third floor of Stratford General Hospital for his brief stay there. In lieu of flowers, Arthur would appreciate that donations be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Branch #8, Stratford and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #8, Stratford. Donations to these charities can be made mailing a cheque payable to the charity of choice to W. G. Young Funeral Home 430 Huron Street, Stratford Ontario N5A 5T7 (519) 271-7411.
Visitation will be held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Arthur’s body will be lying in state at the Stratford Armouries on Sunday where a viewing of the military drawn casket will take place from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. A full military honour will be paid to Arthur before being transferred to the Stratford Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Road, Stratford for the funeral service at 2 p.m. A family interment will take place on Monday, March 20, at Avondale Cemetery in Stratford. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
