Obituary of Arthur Lee-White
Arthur Lee-White, D.F.C., Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, of Rothesay, New Brunswick died peacefully at home on July 31, just 29 days shy of his 102nd birthday.
The son of the late Leonard and Minnie (Wood), M.B.E., Lee White, Arthur was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Norah Brock. They had sixty-nine wonderful years together. Arthur is survived by his children Barbara, Leonard (Jodi) and Bettina (Gary) Thompson. He was the proud grandfather of Rebecca Buckley (Brett) and Alec and Nina (AJ Kosonic) Lee-White and great grand-daughter Alice Buckley. He was predeceased by his sister Margaret White and is survived by sister-in-law Bettina Dodds-Hebron, many nieces and nephews, English and Welsh cousins and a plethora of friends.
Born in Liverpool, England on August 29, 1920, Arthur spent his early life in Lima, Peru before attending schools in England, graduating from Wrekin College. Returning to Peru he later enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained in El Centro, California before transfer to England and eventual posting to 263 Squadron, performing operations over the English Channel and northwestern France for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was later posted to 88 Squadron and participated in D-day, laying smoke over the invasion fleet at Sword Beach. Afterwards he became the personal pilot for the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, as well as other dignitaries.
Following the war, Arthur returned to Peru and flew commercially into its remote regions before immigrating to Canada. Temporarily transferred to New Brunswick in 1950 he fell in love with the place, the people and his future bride. After several years distributing films for RKO, he and his partners purchased Gill and Company, an industrial sales firm, where he worked for the next 35 years, becoming Canada’s first JCB backhoe dealership.
Arthur had a passion for helping young people achieve their potential and devoted much of his energy to various youth oriented organizations, including Camp Medley, Rothesay Yacht Club, Rothesay Tennis Club, Kennebecasis Squash Club and his beloved Poley Mountain. A firm believer in lifetime learning he assisted numerous people in furthering their education. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, tennis player, fly fisherman and skier. He was a passionate reader of Churchillian history and biographies.
Our family would like to thank the many health care and personal support women and men who have assisted Arthur to live such a long and fulfilled life.
Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). There will be no visitations. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., August 26 at St. Paul’s, Rothesay and is to open to all.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice or the Poley Mountain Community Fund which supports disadvantaged youth learning to ski. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.
