Arnold Francis Chaddock
March 29, 1926 – August 23, 2019
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Arnold Francis Chaddock on August 23, 2019. Arnie passed away at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm, BC at the age of 93 years, surrounded by his loved ones.
Arnie was born on March 29, 1926 in Revelstoke, BC and was a resident his whole life. He started working as a wiper for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1943. The CPR gave him leave soon after to join the army, and he took basic training in Dundern, SK, and later planted trees on Vancouver Island in the hills around Port Alberni. He married Dee Chaddock on November 20, 1947. He worked as a Fireman when he returned to the CPR, was promoted to Locomotive Engineer, and retired in March 1986 with 43 years of continuous service.
Arnie was a man of many talents and interests. A self-taught carpenter, he built both of his homes in Revelstoke, as well as many fine pieces of furniture, clocks, and birdhouses. He always had a keen interest in the natural world, and enjoyed birding, rockhounding, gardening, berry picking, fishing, and quadding. Arnie was well known for his birding hobby: he contributed over 200 birdhouses to increase the Mountain Bluebird population, and his bird photography was featured in local media and in Dr. Wayne Campbell’s Birds of British Columbia. An active member of the Revelstoke community, Arnie was a founding member of the Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society and was nominated for the 1993 Minister’s Environmental Award.
Arnie is remembered for his keen mind, wicked sense of humour, and love for his wife and family. An ardent music lover, many hours were spent listening to records, and he was delighted by private concerts when his granddaughter took up the accordion. The eternal prankster, he loved to place a whoopie cushion, plastic bug, or worse in the path of his unsuspecting family and friends! He and Dee liked to play cards in the evenings, and he would draw funny sketches of the unfortunate loser next to their scores. He liked to reminisce about his days on the railroad, and entertained many with his with storytelling abilities. Arnie didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand. He delivered meals and a smile or laugh in his years as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. He was an extraordinary person and will be missed dearly.
Arnie loved his family and was central in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 71 years, Dorothy Doreen “Dee” Chaddock; his beloved daughter, Lynne Babak; and his mother, Bertha Coueffin. Arnie is survived by his two children Nola (Tony) Woodcock and Arne Jr. (Doris) Chaddock; his son-in-law Peter Babak; his eight grandchildren Jody (Faye) Babak, Scott Babak, Kelly Babak, Chelaine Woodcock (Rodney Clarke), Kristy Woodcock (Dan Smith), Addie Chaddock, AJ (Mindy) Chaddock, and Bryce Chaddock; 10 great grandchildren, and many dedicated nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. McLeod for his dedicated care over the years and Dr. Aitchison for her phenomenal care in hospital. They would also like to thank Dan Smith, Hazel Manser, Sheila Lewis, and Britt Jurgens for helping Arnie in his home this year.
A celebration of life for Arnie and Dee will be held on October 5th at 1:00 pm at the Revelstoke Senior Centre, 603 Connaught Ave, Revelstoke, BC.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Arnie’s family by viewing his obituary at: www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com
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