June 23, 1937 - October 23, 2020
It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Arnold Edward O'Toole on Friday, the 23rd of October.
Arnold was born in rural Nova Scotia on June 23rd 1937 to his parents Charles and Catherine. The youngest of 10 children, Arnold was 13 when he began running the farm on his own.
He earned money by milking cows daily before and after school and trapping rabbits, lynx and beaver and selling their pelts.
In the early 1950s, Arnold joined the Canadian military and served in the Korean war as a military police officer. He married his wife, Marjory in 1968. Together they raised 3 sons. Don came first and then twins, Dwayne and Shane.
In the early 80s, they returned to Arnold's Nova Scotian roots where they lived for a year. They moved back to BC and settled in the McBride area. Allesson joined Arnold's family as a chosen daughter in the late 90s, and forever held a special place in Arnold's heart. In 2007, they relocated and settled in the Lakes District region.
During his life, Arnold forged many friendships. Feeling a strong sense of pride about his Irish and Mi'kmaq heritage, and having survived on his own from such a young age, made Arnold welcoming to everyone. There was always room at his table, and in his home and heart.
Everywhere Arnold went, he made friends. It seemed he always happened upon someone who had roots in Nova Scotia and knew someone he also knew. He had a love of small animals. His dogs always effortlessly took to him. Even foxes and birds could always count on Arnold for a snack.
He enjoyed hunting and camping his entire life and had a wild story for every adventure he'd been on.
He will be forever loved and sadly missed by his friends and family.
He is survived by his wife, Marjory, his sons Don, Dwayne (Tatyana), Shane (Tammy), chosen daughter Allesson and grandchildren Cameron, Claire, Leah, Scott, Austin, Nicole, Brett, Keegan, and Hunter.