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4 5 | Thursday, February 23, 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insidehalton.com news ca l O bituaries l O bituaries l O bituaries l O bituaries l In M em oriam s ARRON, Geoffrey Pollard Peacefully, with his wife of 30 years, Marguerite Roberts, at his side, on Sunday, February 5th, at the tender age of 66. Surrounded by a great many friends, colleagues, and family, Geoff was visited during his final week on earth, at Oakville Memorial Hospital ICU where he received superlative care. Geoff had suffered a brain aneurysm, which could have happened at any time in his 66 years of life. If it had happened 40 years ago, so many of us would never had the good fortune to meet him. Geoff has donated his eyes to Trillium Gift of Life. Geoff is survived by his brother, Dave Arron (Ann, Katie and Nick), his sister-in law, Glennis Roberts (Alexandra and Lauren), sister-in-law, Brigitte Wiebe (Nicole, Gabe, and Kai), and predeceased by Marguerite's parents, Jim and Sadie Roberts, and his brother-in-law, Tom Roberts (Brigitte, Nicole, Gabe and Kai) and his parents Marjorie and Laurence Arron. Geoff was born in West Sussex, UK, and grew up very near the sea, in the village of Selsey, well known for the Selsey Lifeboat Station. He spent his early years playing on the beach near his home with his brother Dave. His parents, Marjorie and Laurence, originally from Leeds, were both school teachers, as well as excellent gardeners. Many happy hours were spent canoeing with pals in a flat bottomed, homemade canoe at Selsey Beach, which is one of the best beaches in the area. For a change the family holidayed on the Cornwall beaches or in Kent. The family dog, Megan, was a Welsh terrier, who regularly punctured all the mail that came through the slot. He later obtained a PhD in Plant Physiology at King's College, London. It was customary for the Queen mum to present everyone with their degrees. Geoff joined the London Canoe Clubwhich held their activities on the Thames. Capsizes were fairly frequent and attributed to "giant whirlpools". Geoff alsoowned an ancient, tiny Ford Anglia, which he referred to as his "Anglebox" which he was able to tow a huge canoe trailer. The garage that installed the towbar reassured him that the car would be fine as long as he didn't try to tow anything too big. Several pals rented a flat in Half Moon Lane in South East London, cooked great homemade meals, such as Beef Strong enough, and also spent time at the local pub, aptly dubbed, The Dog and Vomit. Dr. Arron attained over 35 years of experience in university research and a utility research and service organization (King's College, London; Imperial College, London; UCLA; University of Wisconsin-Madison; University of Manitoba; Ontario Hydro Research Division and multiple successors), working on plant physiology photosynthesis and respiration, methods of vegetation control on transmission and distribution rights-of-way, effects of electromagnetic fields on biological and model systems, movement of herbicides into environmental components after application to rights-of-way and substations, environmental evaluation of coal, natural gas, and uranium fuel cycles, wood pole re-use and recycling, and aquatic management field studies of entrainment and impingement. Geoff had a lot of fun during his too short life. One friend from his UCLA postdoc days described their lifestyle as follows: "We would meet at Venice Beach on Saturday afternoon for beach volleyball, followed by hot-tubbing (all the rage at the time) and then dinner at whatever restaurant took our fancy, before heading back to a musician friend's house for late night rock and roll. Most Sunday mornings we met for a social game of soccer with an extended group of friends, many on the fringe of the movie industry, followed by lunch around someone's swimming pool. In hindsight, it was pretty decadent but very memorable. We also went camping together every now and then, in the mountains or desert, and played tennis together frequently. UCLA hosted a lot of fund- raising events with celebrities and liked to trot out foreign students and young postdocs to attend them, and Geoff and I would occasionally go - neither of us had any smart clothes so we would rock up in a battered old car, wearing old jeans and T-shirts and chat up the local smart set and drink fancy cocktails, meeting people like Michael Caine and other odd movie stars or celebrities. It was all long hair, handle bar moustaches and bell-bottom denim in those days."Marguerite and Geoff met at the University of Manitoba where Geoff was doing a postdoc in cold tolerance in corn and Marguerite worked as a Technician in Canola research in the Plant Science Department. They dated for two months, then Geoff moved to Mississauga to work for Ontario Hydro (later Kinectrics) on various plant physiology and environmental projects. The relationship continued for four years until Marguerite joined him in Mississauga. Air Canada should thank Marguerite and Geoff for keeping them afloat during this long distance relationship. Geoff adapted to Marguerite's green thumb and dog loving ways and together they enjoyed gardening and a procession of dogs adopted from shelters. An English plumber who had arrived to replace a faucet commented that the back yard reminded him of a scene from the 1975 British sitcom, "The Good Life". They hosted many murder mystery parties, themed events, especially redneck, and other undignified displays. They also travelled to California, England, France, Key West, Hawaii, and other destinations. Eventually, Geoff and Marguerite moved to Oakville, because they needed an enormous back yard in which to remove the grass entirely and grow tall grasses, vegetables in raised beds, spectacular dahlias, and have a more space for their rescue dogs. Geoff retired from Ontario Hydro, now Kinectrics, at the age of 56, and continued to enjoy gardening, dogs, foolish costume party events, and some travel. During his retirement, Geoff was president of the Bronte Horticultural Society in Oakville, ON from 2009 to 2013. He made a great many good friends in this fun-loving group, and enjoyed the many activities this group is involved in. Geoff was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON September 2010 as a RBG appointee and was a member on the Biodiversity Programs Committee. Geoff was selected Chair of their Biodiversity Programs Committee in February 2012 and did so until April 2016. Geoff was appointed Chair of the RBG Board on June 23rd, 2016. Geoff's experience was perfectly suited for the many diverse operations that the RBC Biodiversity Program Committee oversees. This committee is responsible for all of the RBG's core activities (what they are all about) - Horticulture; Conservation; Education and Science. On top of these responsibilities, Geoff also sat on both the Capital and Executive Committees of the Board. While on the Capital Committee, Geoff helped with the rejuvenation the iconic Rock Garden, a $20M project. Geoff was also very interested in Board governance. He was well liked by everyone at RBG as he took the time to know members of their Board; their staff and volunteers. It should be noted that all of his efforts at the RBG were done on a volunteer basis which they certainly appreciate. He was a true gentleman and will be missed by all. A Celebration of Geoff's Life will be held Thursday, May 4th from 2-5pm in the Great Room of the Royal Botanical Gardens which is located in the new Rock Garden Visitor Centre of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Park at 1210 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON (accessible parking and drop off at 1185 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON) or take the GO train to Aldershot Go Station in Burlington, ON and then a 5 minute cab ride. Visitors will be able to visit the Rock Garden before and after the event. There will be an open microphone at the end for one and all to speak about their relationship with Geoff if they so choose. Donations may be made in memory of Geoff Arron to: Dog Rescuers Inc., Oakville, ON http://www.thedogrescuersinc.ca/ Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, ON http://www.rbg.ca/aboutus Online condolences may be left at Legacy.com SIEBERT, Herbert Passed away peacefully at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Saturday, February 18, 2017 in his 75th year. Loving husband of Cordelia Siebert of Germany. Predeceased by his wife Penny Siebert (2006). Loved father of Christine, Andrew (Hilary), Erika Gullion (Jeremy) and step-father of Cecil Krahling (Kristina) and Julian Krahling. Cherished grandfather of Matthew, William, August and Justus. Special thanks to the nurses of the Acute Stroke Unit at the Greater Niagara General Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Funeral Service will be held at STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, 11 Mountain Street, GRIMSBY (905-945-2755) on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Private family interment St. Andrew's Churchyard Cemetery, Grimsby. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com "Lost but always in our hearts." Frederick Arthur SOMERSETT March 29, 1944 - February 27, 2016 I'm thankful we had so many good years. You gave me your love and you can only guess How much you've given me in happiness. You showed me in so many ways, In thoughtfulness, in words and deeds. You cherished my love and so I grieve For lost tomorrows and unmet needs. I feel your presence everywhere. My heart is broken, but you are there. I hear you telling me, Grieve if you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. That it is only for a while we must part. That if I listen with all my heart I hear you whisper soft and clear. Be brave, carry on, and have no fear. We'll meet again one day my dear." Lovingly remembered, sadly missed, thankful for your unconditional love. ~Your wife Janice V & M IT H & J FUNERAL HOMES V, J GRIMSBY CHAPEL l M em orial Services CELEBRATION OF LIFE GRACE WAKE Please join the Falgarwood community in remembering Grace Wake as we celebrate her life on Saturday, February 25th at the Glen Oaks Funeral Home. Gathering at 1:30 p.m. Remembrances at 2:00 p.m. followed by light refreshments. July 17, 1944 - February 23, 2016 Memories of you fill my mind so many times each day. I think of how you looked & laughed and the things you used to say. These memories are the light to the darkness of my heart. They are the reminders that we are not far apart. Love always and forever, Bill How the time has passed so quickly... Scott, Donna, Sheryl, Glenn, Beverly, Phil and families Sandra Myers J Honour the memory o f a LOVED ONE... Place an In Memoriam in the classifieds. C a ll 9 0 5 -6 3 2 -4 4 4 0 or email classified@metrolandwest.comj