| Name |
Helen Patricia McDermott |
| Birth |
23 Oct 1926 |
Oakville, Halton County, Ontario, Canada  [1] |
| Gender |
Female |
| Witness-Obituary |
6 Jan 2010 |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada [2] |
- Arthur Ryerson Maybee died peacefully in Castlegar, BC on December 27, 2009 at the age of 86. Loving husband of Helen (nee McDermott). Much loved father (and father-in-law) of Kim (John) Twohig of Mississauga, ON., Jill (Tim) Peacock of Rossland, BC, and Sarah (Phil) Crowe of Sydney, Australia. Grandfather of Connor and Patrick Twohig, Stephanie, Clare and David Peacock, Alex, Murray, Dexter and Vivienne Crowe. Brother of the late Dorothy M. Douglas, Winifred R. Gray and John R. Maybee. Lieutenant in the Signal Corps during WWII. Graduate of Trinity College, University of Toronto, 1948. Arthur was an avid canoeist, skier, golfer and outdoorsman. He was unfailingly optimistic, kind and considerate. Arthur loved his family unconditionally, served his country and community faithfully and accepted life's challenges with dignity. He earned the respect and affection of all who knew him. His love of music and sense of humour endured until his last hours and endeared him to those who knew him through his illness. The family wishes to thank the staff at Castleview Care Centre for their wonderful care, compassion and friendship. Cremation has taken place and Arthur's life has been celebrated as he would have wished. In memory of Arthur, please do something, however small, to make the world a better place
|
| Witness-Obituary |
6 Apr 2010 [3] |
- Arthur Ryerson Maybee, outdoorsman, music lover, philanthropist, ski patroller, soldier, trailblazer, devoted husband, father, grandfather. Born April 15, 1923, in Calgary. Died Dec. 27, 2009, in Castlegar, B.C., of complications from Alzheimer's disease, aged 86.
Arthur loved to be outdoors. He was happiest when paddling, skiing, landscaping, golfing, bicycling or hiking.
When he was 60, he set out on a wilderness trip in Newfoundland with his middle daughter, Jill. The owner of the canoe they had borrowed assured them that with the exception of a few simple portages, the river they were planning to paddle was easily navigable. A day into their trip, Arthur and Jill encountered a series of large waterfalls. There was no portage trail to be found.
Jill later confessed that she was quite worried. Arthur, however, was his usual self – optimistic, focused and decisive. Although not familiar with the area, he used his compass and assured Jill that if they followed a certain course they would eventually find hydro wires and then a road. He was right, and after a considerable hike, they both returned safely to civilization.
While he rarely discussed his wartime service, his experience during the Second World War probably helped to save his life during this Newfoundland adventure. At 18, Arthur joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and saw action in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the 1950s, he honed his survival skills when he paddled the route of the voyageurs with a small group of avid canoeists.
Arthur's childhood was spent in Calgary. His family moved to the Toronto area as Arthur entered high school, and later to Oakville, Ont.
Following his wartime service, Arthur graduated with his BA from the University of Toronto and briefly worked with the United Nations and Carleton University. He then settled into development work, focusing on fundraising for numerous educational institutions, hospitals, cultural and community organizations. Arthur exuded sincerity and a casual charm that allowed him to succeed in his chosen field.
Early in his career, Arthur met Helen McDermott while commuting from Oakville to Toronto. They married in 1951 and had three daughters, Kim, Jill and Sarah, and eventually nine grandchildren.
In his spare time, Arthur was a volunteer with the Canadian Ski Patrol, a founding member of the Canadian Ski Council and helped establish the Trans Canada Trail in New Brunswick, where he and Helen lived for a number of years.
In 1988, Arthur retired. He and Helen moved from New Brunswick to Florida and in 1995 to Collingwood, Ont.
Despite the challenges of his final years Arthur never lost that spark of optimism, a ready smile and the gentle nature that drew people to him.
|
| Death |
31 Oct 2012 |
Mississagua, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada [4] |
| Obituary |
17 Nov 2012 |
Toronto, Canada [4] |
- Helen McDermott Maybee died at Trillium Hospital, Mississauga on October 31, 2012. Wife of the late Arthur R. Maybee, mother of Kim Twohig (John), Mississauga, Jill Peacock (Tim), Rossland, BC and Sarah Crowe (Philip), Sydney, Australia. Grandmother of nine. Predeceased by brothers Bob MCDermott, Kingston, Ted MCDermott, Sarnia, and sisters Catherine MCDermott, Oakville and Gabrielle MCDermott, Oakville. The family has acceded to Helen's request that there be no visitation or memorial. Cremation has taken place.
|
| Reference Number |
17024 |
| Person ID |
I16937 |
Maybee Society |
| Last Modified |
7 Apr 2024 |
| Family |
Arthur Ryerson Maybee, b. 15 Apr 1923, Calgary, Alberta, Canada d. 27 Dec 2009, Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada (Age 86 years) |
| Marriage |
7 Jul 1951 |
Holy Rosary Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada [5, 6] |
- Married on Sat. July 7 1951, in the Chapel; of Holy Rosary Church, Helen Patricia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. McDermott of Oakville, to Arthur Ryerson Maybee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Maybee, Oakville.
|
| Children |
|
| Family ID |
F4211 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
7 Apr 2024 |
1926 - 2012 (86 years)
