Arthur Charles Garner

Art was born in Lowestoft England to Arthur Charles Garner and Jennie Elizabeth Thompson.

He grew up in London during WW2 and liked to tell stories of he and his friends collecting shrapnel after an air raid. On his 18th birthday in 1952 at a school dance, he met his future wife Wendy (Coppin) and the love story began.

Two months later he was conscripted into the Royal Air Force, where at 18 he became a flight engineer, flying for Coastal Command in Neptune Aircraft. After finishing his 2 years in the RAF, he joined Lever Brothers as an East Anglian rep.

Arthur and Wendy were married in 1956. In 1958 they emigrated to Canada. Living in Toronto, they had 3 beautiful children, Carol, Lisa and Michael. During the 60's an agency asked if he would do some photography work, and for the next 25 years he modelled, did TV ads and film bit parts. He loved the excitement of this world. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a passion, and he started Chartwell Travel in Agincourt, ON in 1974. His natural charm and zest for life made it a success and he opened another Agency in the Xerox Tower 1986.

In 1988 he suffered a heart attack and had surgery. In 1989 Art and Wendy flew to Victoria for a weekend, fell in love with it and before leaving, had purchased a condo on the water that was about to be built, ready in a year. In 1990 they moved out west and were followed one by one by their children and families.

In 1992 Art opened another Travel Agency Chartwell Travel Cadboro Bay.

Art was always active in his community and businesses, CITC secretary, PATA, Past President SKAL Victoria, Ombudsman for the Travel Industry ON, Worshipful Master at Henderson Masonic lodge Victoria, and on cold winter nights, could be found spraying the outdoor ice rink at Chartland Community School Agincourt.

Art was predeceased by younger brother Kenneth Alan Garner in 1988. Left to grieve his loss are his wife of 67 years Wendy, children Carol, Lisa (Ian), Michael (Robyn), grandchildren Shaun, Daniel, Shannon, Andrew, Katie, Jack and great grandchildren Riley, Kendall, Caleb, Sophie, Olllie and Harriett, sisters-in-law Gerry Eeles and Carroll Garner, niece Kerri Moore (Chris), nephew Stephen Garner (Kerry) and many cousins in Australia and Britain.

Goodnight, God Bless,

I'll see you in my dreams.

Celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements through First Memorial, Victoria.