Arthur Art Roland Dixon

DIXON, Arthur Roland “Art” – Owner/Operator Dixon’s Bookstore (Water Street)- Past President and Lifetime member of Kawartha Stamp Club. Past Manager of Peterborough & District H&R Block. Past President & Coach of Peterborough Legion Track Club. Past official Timer for Track & Field in Pan-Am Games. Past member of St. James Players - Peacefully at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday, December 17, 2009 in his 81st year. Art was the beloved husband of Rayma (nee Brown) for 57 years. Loving father of Brenda Lee Stencell (husband Jim) and Stephen John. Dear grandfather of Greg Stencell (wife Diana), Kerri Mitchell (husband Ryan), Adam & Ashley Stencell and Julia Dixon. Great grandfather of Christopher, Kyler and Owen. Brother of the late John and Walter (surviving wife Grace). A Memorial Service will be held at the COMSTOCK FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 356 Rubidge Street on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm, with visiting one hour prior. In memory of Art, donations to the United Way of Peterborough would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com.BOOK STORE OWNER, 80, DIED THURSDAY Posted By ANDREA HOUSTON PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER STAFF WRITER - December 19, 2009Early in their marriage, Art Dixon, a lifelong lover of books, would spend hours reading the classics to his wife while she pressed his shirts at night, his wife Rayma remembers fondly. Mr. Dixon, the owner and operator of Dixon's Books on Water St., died on Thursday morning from complications stemming from a cold. He was 80. "I can remember when we were first married, he'd read to me while I was ironing," said Rayma. The couple were married for 57 years. His favourite book to read his wife was Christopher Morley's Parnassus on Wheels, the story of a man who opens a second hand bookstore, she said. "One of his hobbies was to go to Toronto and rummage through all the boxes in the secondhand bookstores. For him it was like buried treasure." At home, Mr. Dixon always had three books on the go, she said. He had one on the kitchen table to read while eating, one at the store and a "lighter book" on his nightstand to read before bed. "I couldn't keep all those stories straight, but never had any problems," she said. "He just loved to read, and read just about everything." After dreaming about it his whole life, Mr. Dixon opened his own bookstore in 1979, said his son Steve, 52. "It was always his dream to open a bookstore," he said. Before owning a bookstore, Mr. Dixon was a district manager with H&R Block, worked for Outboard Marine and even owned a farm in Keene for a time when he was young, he said. Along with books, Mr. Dixon was also the past president and coach of the Peterborough Legion Track Club, an actor, a long-distance runner, a former official timer for track and field at the Pan Am Games and was an avid stamp collector.Steve, who was behind the counter at the store yesterday afternoon, said working at the bookstore is helping him cope with the loss of his dad. "We've been getting a lot of support from our long-time customers and friends today," he said. Mr. Dixon is also survived by a daughter, Brenda Stencell, 56, Rayma said, and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His granddaughter Julia, 18, who often helped out at the store, said her grandfather was a fixture at all her music recitals and sports games, proudly cheering her on. "We were very close," she said. "I sing, play guitar and piano. I also play hockey and soccer. He came to all my recitals and games." Steve said the family plans to keep the store open for the foreseeable future. A service for Mr. Dixon will be held at the Comstock Funeral Home and Cremation Centre at 356 Rubidge St. on Monday at 1 p. m., with visitation at noon. In memory of Mr. Dixon, the family would appreciate donations to the United Way of Peterborough. Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com.