Arnold Harvey AGNEW

AGNEW, Arnold Harvey

Arnold Harvey Agnew, born May 22, 1925 in Toronto, son of the late George Harvey and Helen Agnew (Smith). Died May 7, 2014 following a short illness at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. Predeceased by his wife of more than 60 years, Flora Jane (Mulligan). Also predeceased by sister Phyllis Baldwin, Wonderful father of John (Jodi Woollam), Sarah (Stephen Zeifman), David (Sheila Kirouac) and Elizabeth (Bruce Lourie); proud grandfather and great-grandfather to Jesse (Michelle Chan), Emmett, Clancy, Ellen, Claire, Michelle, Nick, George and Jane; Jack and Olivia. Chronologically, Arnold's first love was newspapers. His second was Flora. They met working at The Varsity while they were at University of Toronto. Before attending university, he had signed up for the RCAF after graduating from University of Toronto Schools. He was training as a rear gunner when the war ended, and returned to his education. After a short time in Halifax working as a reporter, he went to London, England in the early 1950s to work for United Press. Flora followed, and they were married at St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street's spiritual home, in August, 1952. John's birth would follow a year later, and they returned to Canada where Arnold joined the Toronto Telegram, also deceased. Living in Toronto long enough to have Sarah, the family then moved to Sherbrooke where he was the editor of the Daily Record. David and Elizabeth -- known to all as Biz -- would soon follow. Returning to Toronto and the Telegram, Arnold rose through the ranks to become Editor-in-Chief before the paper folded in 1971. Following a stint with TD Bank, he turned to marketing and communications consulting where he ended his career in his early 80s. Until the end, Arnold faithfully read his daily newspaper, devoured The Economist and kept his Progressive, even Red, Conservativism fresh. His other passion, much unrequited, was golf at the family's Sturgeon Point cottage. His remarkable doggedness at the game, never reflected in his score, was occasionally rewarded by an 'Arnold' -- holing a short chip to stay below double digits. He was the last man standing among a close- knit group of friends who summered together for decades -- the Point will never be the same. Arnold had a long association with St. John's Rehab, proud of the wing at the hospital that carries his father's name. He was an honorary director of St. John's after serving on the board for many years. He served as both councilor and reeve of the Village of Sturgeon Point and enjoyed his volunteer time with Katimavik and Management Advisory Services. A memorial service will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West, followed by a reception at Morley Bedford. Many thanks to the remarkable staff at Sunnybrook who cared for him during his short time with them with warmth and compassion. Please make a donation in his memory to the charity of your choice.