Arthur Lindaw was born in Twillingate, Newfoundland on Friday, August 10, 1945 to parents William and Carman (Perry) Gill. He was the fifth oldest of thirteen children and followed older brothers Les, Harry, Harold, and David. In the years following Art’s arrival, the Gill family also welcomed Lloyd, Donald, William, George, Eddie, Gloria, Flora, and Eugene. The family resided in Botwood, on the edge of town, where Art attended public school. Art enjoyed many childhood adventures around town which often included collecting pop bottles for extra spending money. What would he buy with this extra cash? Well, tomatoes of course! Sadly, when Art was in his early teens, the Gill family experienced a devastating fire that damaged their family home. Art soon left school and began helping his father rebuild their home. He gained valuable knowledge and experience during this time and he soon began working for neighbours and other members of the community.
In June of 1963, Art followed in his brother’s footsteps and left Newfoundland, calling Ontario and Toronto home. He soon found work with Parker Bros. and later went on to work for Eatons, and Thompson Moving. In 1964, Art’s life would forever change when he caught the attention of his neighbour. Marie “Irene” Hachey lived across the road from Art in the same housing complex and she soon took a fancy to him. To say she was head over heels for Art may be a bit of an understatement as it is told she switched jobs to cross paths with him more and even walked to an earlier bus stop, just so that she was already on the bus when Art got on at their normal stop. This persistence worked, as Art soon began to sit with her regularly and in time their relationship blossomed. The young couple were married on Saturday, September 3, 1966 in Toronto and welcomed their daughter Suzanne the following month on October 24, 1966. Sadly, Art and Irene lost two stillborn children, their angels, in 1968 and 1972. However, together they grieved and continued forward. After several moves within the city, the Gill family moved to Bathhurst, N.B. in December of 1972 to help care for Irene’s ailing mother. Art found work with Day n’ Ross and remained there until their return to Toronto and the Downsview area in March of 1974, where Art found work with the TTC. Months later the Gill family welcomed their son, Michael, on June 5, 1974. Their family was complete!
By this time, Art found work at General Motors in Oshawa where he began as a spot welder. The family soon relocated to Oshawa. The year was 1975. Over the next thirty years, Art worked his way up the ranks retiring in 2004 as a machine operator. Art was not all work though. In fact, it was well known by co-workers that Art was usually the last person to arrive daily AND the first to leave… someone has to be, right? All joking aside, Art liked his time away from work. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with family and friends. In his younger years, he also enjoyed playing broomball. He also remained active doing home reno’s and helping family and friends whenever he could with their carpentry jobs. Camping was another favourite pastime for Art and Irene. In the mid-1980’s they began travelling to the Kawarthas for summer holidays and weekends away from the city. They came upon Cameron Lake and then Balsam Lake. They found their paradise, and Art would add that the fishing was really good too! 🙂 They soon called Kenhaven Trailer Park their summer home, where they spent countless times with friends and family. The Gills remained residents there until 2004 when they moved north, out of Oshawa, to be closer to their children.
Bowling was also an important aspect of Art and Irene’s life. In fact, Irene worked at the local bowling alley, Neb’s Funworld, and Art was just as active as a member. They took up the sport in 1977, and soon came to meet (and bowl) with another couple, Edward and Margaret Flagg. Through the years, countless friendships were made, and Art’s talents improved. In fact, he won a trip to the Dominican Republic by bowling and also was active as a member of the Ontario Durham 5-Pin Bowlers Association and NEB 5-Pin Bowlers Association. Away from the bowling alley, Art always kept up on his sports, particularly golf, baseball, and his beloved Maple Leafs. Let’s hope 2021 brings change and in the coming months Art along with many other Leaf’s fans (who have gone before him) can celebrate another Stanley Cup… finally! Art also loved to dance, particularly at weddings and bowling banquets, and travel, usually back home to Newfoundland or New Brunswick to visit family. He was known to be an avid tea drinker, along with the occasional Labatt 50 back in the day. He also loved his beef, especially steak, and was even known to wake neighbours with the aroma from his BBQ, when he was cooking his dinner, at 2 a.m. I might add, after an afternoon shift. In later years, Art also took a fondness to reading when he picked up a Stephen King novel. It was a quiet, relaxing pastime for him.
In 2005, Art and Irene left Oshawa and moved north to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Art was very family-oriented and lived by the rule “family first.” Many memories were made in recent years, that will be passed down to future generations in stories that will include Irene and Arthur. Their lives and memories will truly live on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. Sadly, in 2011 Art’s world was turned upside-down when Irene suffered a massive heart attack and died days later. He lost his wife and best friend. However, as fate would have it, Art’s luck soon changed as he was reconnected with Margaret Flagg on January 6, 2013. Margaret too had recently lost her husband Edward, and with their long history, and similar circumstances the two hit it off immediately. Art and Margaret were married on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Their two families immediately became one, and further memories and time were spent with grandchildren and more recently, great-grandchildren. Every day that they shared together was cherished and a true blessing.
In recent months, Art’s health has declined and he passed away peacefully at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley on Monday, May 17, 2021 in his 76th year.
Beloved husband of Margaret Flagg. Loving father of Suzanne (Paul) Sachs of Dobbinton and Michael (Bethany) of Desboro. Loving Grandpa and Papa of Andrew (Kristen), Ashley, Alysha (Mike), Anthony (Sarah), Amandah (Zack) and G-Pop of Rohnan, Breanna and Brooklynn. Art will be fondly remembered by Margaret’s children Robert Flagg, Corinna Upshaw, Todd (Trina) Flagg; grandchildren Justin, Dustin, Janaye, Britian, Allias, Chaize, Declan, Jorja Raine; and great-grandchildren Parker, Austin, Emily, Kaelyn, Colton, Mason, Jase, Kya and Davis. Loving brother of Harold (Marie), Lloyd (Barbara), Donald (Wavey), William (Shirley), George and Flora (Mervin) Anthony. Art will be dearly missed by his brother-in-law Lee Code, sisters-in-law Dixie, Wendy, Lorraine as well as the entire Hachey family and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Irene (Hachey), two children in infancy, step-son Randy Flagg, and siblings Les, Harry, David, Eddie, Eugene and Gloria Gill.
A public visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 4 – 8 p.m. A private funeral service celebrating Art’s life will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021. A recording of the service will also be available on the funeral home website afterward. Interment in Desboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
