Richard Arends

SUNRISE

November 17, 1916

Holland

SUNSET

May 5, 2012

Toronto, Ontario

Dick passed away peacefully in his 96th year in Toronto on Saturday, May 5, 2012, beloved husband of Violet (deceased 1999) and father of Doug (Shirley), Ron (Marilou), June (Dipankar), Rick (Debbie), Robyn (George) and Larry (deceased 1981). Dear grandfather of Kirk (Gloria), Jason (Vicky), Amanda, Michelle, David, Danielle, Shannon, Jessica and great grandfather of Noah, Brianna and Lilly.

Dick's working life involved positions at John Inglis and General Electric. In retirement, he loved to provide guidance to his sons and daughters as they successfully built their careers and businesses.

He had many accomplishments during his lifetime including being inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame (CSHF) in 2000. He was the oldest living member of the CSHF and his biography from the CSHF reads "One of Canada's top goalkeepers just before World War Two and in the years during and just after the war. If there had been a Canadian national team in his day Dick Arends would surely have represented his country. He came to Canada in 1926 as a young boy having grown up in the Netherlands, and soon became part of the Canadian soccer scene. By 1939 he was good enough to represent Ontario against a touring Scottish F.A. team and played so well that one member of the Scottish team recommended him to Motherwell. He then received a letter from the well-known Scottish club offering him a trial. However the war intervened and his chance was lost. In the summer of 1946 he played for the Chicago Vikings and his team won the U.S. Open Cup in the U.S. national championship. That fall he joined the newly formed Toronto Greenbacks in the North American Professional Soccer League. In the following years it was rare for Ontario to play a game against a touring team from Europe without having Dick between the goalposts and reading the following day that he had been the star of the game. His huge hands were the mark of a man who spent many hours stopping shots from some of the best players in the world"

To his family, Dick was a hero who loved life. He encouraged and supported them in all their endeavours. His greatest happiness was when he was with his family.

Dick last resided at Avondale Retirement Residence where the staff gave him exceptional support and friendship.

The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff at Toronto East General Hospital, who provided loving care for him in his final weeks. The family will receive friends at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave., Toronto, on Thursday May 10th from 6-9 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Condolences and memories may be contributed to the family at www.giffenmackdanforth.com

A private interment will be taking place for Dick.

"Dad, you are loved so much and will be in our hearts forever"

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

whispering softly down the ways;

Of happy times and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave

When life is done.

- Helen Lowrie Marshall 1954