March 30, 1928 - November 7, 2021
On November 7th, 2021, at aged 93, we said farewell to our dad, Lewis Charles McArthur. "Lew" was born in Dauphin Manitoba on March 30th, 1928. Lew is predeceased by his wife Dorothy McArthur, and granddaughter Mary McArthur. Lew passed away peacefully at Ridgeview Lodge in Kamloops, BC, where he lived the last four years of his life.
Lew is survived by his children, John McArthur (Cathy), MaryLou Campbell (Ken), Denise O'Connor (Chris), Peter McArthur (Kelly), and Gene McArthur(Karen), as well as Grandchildren, Ryan McArthur (Vivian), Devin McArthur, Sarah Brown (Cody) Chloe Ross (James), Ross McArthur (Daniella) Tcee Campbell, and Great-Granddaughter Sophia.
Lew came to BC in 1948 to work. He returned to Manitoba in 1950 to marry the love of his life Dorothy. They made their home in Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Ashcroft, before settling in Lytton, BC, in 1965. In Ashcroft, Lew worked for BC Electric and was on the hydro team that brought power lines to Bethlehem Copper.
Lew heard many stories of his grandfather's sawmilling days in Winnipegosis, Manitoba, and started his own sawmill in the Venables Valley while living in Ashcroft. In 1964 he moved his bush mill to the Botany Valley near Lytton. After a couple of years, he purchased land south of Lytton where Spatsum Lumber became Lytton Lumber Ltd until 2007.
Lew worked along side many employees during his years as owner of Lytton Lumber. Retirement was never in Lew's vocabulary. Lew spent time on the Village of Lytton council, was a Lions Club member, was involved with the Ski Club, and was instrumental at keeping the Badminton Club active until he moved to Kamloops. He could always be relied on to donate his time or lumber for community projects. Lew was so proud of his grandchildren and loved them dearly.
We would like to thank the staff at Ridgeview Lodge in Kamloops who gave our dad excellent care during his time there.
A celebration of life will be held when family can all be together.