Obituary of Gordon Keith Arblaster

Gordon Keith Arblaster, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Windermere on the Mount in London, Ontario on October 11th in his 88th year.  For 59 years, the beloved husband of Jean (nee Laithwaite).  Loving father to Wendy Arblaster (Terry Jarvis) of London and Sara Arblaster (Hillar Heine) of Toronto, and cherished grandfather to Shelby Arblaster, of Portland, ME.  Fondly remembered by his siblings-in-law Frances Hook of Egmondville, ON, Alan Hiles of Calgary, AB, Kelly and Mary Cameron of Sumter, SC, and numerous relatives and friends.  

Pre-deceased by his parents John Henry (Jack) Arblaster (1969) and Lillian (nee Parrish) (1989), his brother Ross (1976), and siblings-in-law Irene Hiles, Violet MacKenzie, Audrey Arblaster and Stephen Hook.

Gord was the long-time General Manager of the London Transit Commission and former President of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA).  Born in Montreal in 1929, Gord’s family moved to Sarnia where he attended Sarnia Collegiate Institute of Technology and then on to London, where he began his career and family. 

Gord was a proud alumnus of South Collegiate in London, which he established as superior to Oakridge, from which both his daughters graduated.  Gord delighted in summer days spent at the family cottage at Hardwick Cove on the shores of Lake Huron laughing with family and friends.  He loved nothing better then to get in the car, by himself or with his family, and explore Canada.  One of his most recent cherished trips was across the country  with his granddaughter in 2015. Awarded for his perseverance in inclement weather, he will be remembered as a hopeful cross-country skier.  He held a special spot in his heart for his brothers-in-law and their many political debates and jokes.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held at a later date.  Please send online condolences to www.woodlandcemeterydirectcremationcompany.ca .  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be forwarded to the Men’s Mission and Rehabilitative Centre in London, ON.