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Arthur James Spencer

August 2, 1923 ~ January 8, 2012

Arthur (Art) was a native son of Nanaimo; born at home on Third Street in Five Acres, then moving to Fourth Street. In 1948, he married Freda Burdock, who was his love and life-long partner for 63 years. They resided in Departure Bay for their first 25 years and then Lantzville for the last 35 years.

Art attended Harewood School from grade 1 to 12, then John Shaw for his senior matriculation. In 1941, he began his 44 year career in Pharmacy with an apprenticeship at Central Drugs. He obtained his pharmacy license in 1946 and in 1963 became the majority owner and president of Central Drugs, a position he held to his retirement in 1985. During this time, he touched many lives and will be fondly remembered by his many customers who he considered part of an extended family – they always came first.

Art served his country in World War II, in the Royal Canadian Navy as a wireless operator on the mine sweeper HMCS Grandmere, and later as radio artificer on HMCS Blairmore.

Art and Freda retired to their family ocean front property in Lantzville where he enjoyed fishing, gardening, time with his daughters and grandchildren. He traveled, loved to bake, play crib, and then at 85 years old, learned how to use computers to solve his crossword puzzles and stay in touch with his extended family, grandchildren and many friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Herbert (MD) in 1975; by his mother, Jane in 1972; and his father, Bert in 1977. He is survived by Freda, his loving wife of 63 years; his daughters, Janice (Chris) and Cynthia and by his grandchildren, Daniel, Robert and Stacey.

Service will be at St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo, Friday, January 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Lunch in the hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Andrew’s Church, in Arthur’s name.



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