WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — Arthur McBride was a lifelong resident of Westmeath. As a youth, he drove horse-drawn loads of hay to the lumber camps in the Pontiac, spent a winter working in the camps and travelled to Saskatchewan as part of the harvest exchange program.
After his marriage to Beryl, who had moved to the area to teach school, the two of them worked hard and eagerly took part in agricultural programs to improve Walloan Farm on the Gore Line. They were justifiably proud of the quality of their crops and cattle. Both he and Beryl believed in “paying it forward” in life through their own generosity to others and grateful for those who had helped them when they were starting out.
Arthur always enjoyed a good visit and was a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s United Church in Westmeath, where he served as an elder. He was a 4-H club leader for many years, where his patience and kindness positively influenced many area youth.
These same qualities made him a wonderful parent. When working with him, he would always “take the heavy end” and would “just work away” at a task until it was completed. Whenever we made mistakes, he would gently guide us to solve whatever problems we had caused. He was a loving and supportive husband and father and a great teacher and role model.
