Arthur WILLMOTT WORTH

Arthur Willmott Worth
Arthur (Art) Willmott Worth, 79, passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 17, 2014, at Mount Sinai Hospital, Montreal, QC.. He was born on October 28, 1934 in Toronto, the first child of Jasper and Elizabeth Worth. He attended Lawrence Park Collegiate but then the family moved to Halifax where he attended Queen Elizabeth High School and then Dalhousie University for a BSc. and Engineering diploma. He then attended Nova Scotia Tech. (now Dal Tech.) receiving his B.Eng.Civil with honours in 1957.
Having chosen a career with the Canadian National Railway Company, Art began work in Campbellton, N.B. then on to Moncton and later to Halifax, N.S. as Resident Engineer. In 1964 he was moved to the CN head office in Montreal where he worked in various positions for 42 years. In 1980 he became System Engineer Standards in the Track Department setting track material standards and plans, advising on new types of locomotives and cars, derailment cause analysis and the effects of heavier equipment. He was an active member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) acting as Chairman and Secretary of several subcommittees. Those who worked with Art at CN, AREMA, the AAR, or the Heavy Haul Association and other railroading groups will miss his succinct advice, deep knowledge and participation.
In 1999, Art was commissioned by CN Engineering Department to prepare and encyclopedic history and explanation of the origins and rationale of track material standards for use by his successors.
Since retirement from CN in 1999, he was a track standards consultant for CANAC (now Savage Industries/CANAC), Advanced Rail Management, SNC Lavalin and many others.
He was renowned for his detailed memory, not only in CN and railroad matters but in history, literature and general trivia. Arthur was a generous benefactor of many charities and a friend to many who appreciated his honesty, humour and his font of knowledge on any subject. But, railroads were his first love and he devoted his life to this work. Many have commented that there was no one more dedicated to the North American railroad industry than Arthur.
He is survived by his two sisters Barbara Karthein (nee Worth) and her husband Ralph Karthein; Susan Tilsley (nee Worth) and her husband James Tilsley. Arthur is fondly remembered by his two nieces Katherine Tilsley and Cynthia Unwin (nee Tilsley) and their partners, Pat Kenny and Steve Unwin. His nephews Joe Karthein and James Karthein (m. Tammy Strauss) especially remember the things that their Uncle Art introduced them to such as understanding the stars and Arthurian legends.
A private funeral Service was held February 8, 2014 at the Kane and Fetterly Funeral Home in Montreal, Quebec www.kanefetterly.qc.ca. The family would, however, appreciate your memories of Arthur. Please see the condolences section of the website.