Arthur Ernest Horsley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Art Horsley on December 30, 2021. Art passed away peacefully with his family by his side in the palliative care unit at Nanaimo Hospital. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the wonderful doctors, nurses and volunteer staff for taking such great care of him and our family at an extremely difficult time.

Art was born in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan and was the youngest of three children. His family moved to Vancouver Island in 1940 where they made their home in South Wellington. Art attended school until grade 10 then took a job in the forest industry. After a few years, his next job was working as a clerk at the Cavan Street liquor store in Nanaimo, where he was eventually promoted to manager. Art continued his career with the BC Liquor Control Board until his retirement and remained a proud member of BCGEU.

Art loved music and dancing and was a very smart dresser, always in his pleated slacks, pressed dress shirt and tie and because of this, earned his nick name ‘shiny shoes’. In 1952 he attended a wedding in Nanaimo where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Marlyn Steel. Marlyn was only 16 and Art was 19 when they met. It was love at first site for them both. They were married on September 7, 1957. They started their lives together in a small home on Railway Avenue then eventually moved to a home on Wakesiah Avenue where they raised their family. Son Kent was born in 1960 and daughter Kerrilyn was born in 1962. In 1966, Art had an opportunity to manage the liquor store in Wells, BC. For 3 years, the family enjoyed the great outdoors – skiing, curling, hunting, fishing and making new friends. It was there that Art joined The Masons and remained a member for 65 years, receiving his honorary membership pin and plaque. After the family’s time in Wells, they moved back to the old house on Wakesiah then moved again in 1973 at which time Art and Marlyn bought their property in Lantzville.

At the age of 33 Art became a diabetic and like everything else in his life he managed his diabetes like clockwork.

Just like the books he kept at the liquor store Art kept a daily log of all his sugar readings, times and insulin intake for his records. Art’s healthy lifestyle and happiness carried him through for all these years.

Art retired from the liquor store in 1988 at the age of 55, Marlyn joined him shortly after. They enjoyed their retirement together, traveling to Yuma to camp with friends, a trip to Maui, an Alaskan Cruise and the trip of a lifetime to cruise the Panama. Over the next few years, they moved to Nanoose Bay then Parksville, then in 2016 they made the decision to move back to Nanaimo to be closer to the family.

Art loved life and always made the best out of what he had and could make a dollar stretch farther than anyone. He enjoyed barbequing, playing cards and darts, hunting, fishing, curling, walking and spending quality time with his family and friends. For those of you who knew Art, you will remember him as an honest, kind man with a big heart who lived life to the fullest. Art will always be remembered as a wonderful loyal husband, father, papa and so much more.

Art leaves behind his loving wife of 64 ½ years, Marlyn, son Kent (Christine), daughter Kerri (Joe), 5 amazing grandchildren Kristin, Matthieu, Eric, Katelyn and Colton and great grandchild Loic. His brother Walt, sister Frieda and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Diabetes Canada or the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Forever in our hearts, until we meet again ♥