My father was the best storyteller. Please share your memories and stories from his early years in the comment box below! We look forward to reading your own stories of Arnie or those he shared with you.
If you have stories from other times in Arnie’s life, please consider posting the tales under
Thank you!
Arnie 
My dear Arnie, I took you on one of your last toodles recently when I took
you to Edmonton, thanks to Melissa and family. Your sister, Lorraine and
your cousin, Irene and I took you to Lougheed and you are now lying
beside your dear father. You are finally home! Rest in peace, my dear
husband.
West of Calgary: One of the places Allen and I liked to go with Merna and Arnie was to King’s Creek in the Kanaskis. We would pack a picnic lunch and head for the mountains. Part of this trip was taking the trail from the picnic ground so0 we could see the mountain goats in their natural habitat. What great memories I have of those times.
When Arnie and Merna lived in Calgary they would take his Uncle Ray out for drives, never knowing exactly where they might go nor what road they would take. Ray certainly appr3eciated these trips which made a great break away from the lodge.
Ken and I got our first Husky 24 years ago – a type A (assertive) female named Star. She quickly realized she was Queen of the house. Some of you may know that Arnie was never much of a Dog person. A few years after we got her, Arnie and Merna came to visit. Arnie did not, of course, think to acknowledge Star, and her exalted place in the family hierarchy! The next day, he suggested a Toodle (to Niagra Falls, U.S.side in particular) for Cigs. Merna and I sat in the back passenger seats of the Van, and Arnie in the front seat, with Ken driving. Star, as always, came along for the ride.
Shortly after we started, Star came up to the front seat, and climbed up for a “stare down” – all 70 lbs. face to face with Arnie. There was a quiet help, followed by several more Helps. I said for heavens sake just tell her to get down. Merna had nothing to say, being convulsed with laughter! After a bit I did tell Star to get down. Sure was fun coming to his rescue, and it did keep him quiet for a little while!
It is hard to pick a single story about anything to do with stories about Arnie. One in particular was one time I had come out by myself for a visit and as I was getting ready to leave to come back home ….by myself, Merna and Annie and I were sitting waiting for my flight when Arnie proceeded to tell me about the big jet I was about to go on and how it was completely automated. He said it was so safe that “nothing” could go wrong…….go wrong…..go wrong….go wrong. You were so reassuring Arnie…..sitting there giggling to your self.
Part of the excitement of a visit to Vancouver was the opportunity to spend time with Merna and Arnie, all you had to do was walk down the stairs and you were greeted with open arms. I loved the way Arnie accepted us into the family like we were born into it! Even when I gave the worst toast to the groom speech at Glen and Melissa’s wedding, he laughed, hugged me and told me it was great. Merna and Arnie gave up the office so Tony and Alex had a place to sleep when we visited and like Lana said Arnie was always there to pick us up at the airport in his van. That van did a lot of tours of Vancouver. Arnie really could have made some good money as a tour guide!
The world has lost a truly amazing person.
Love Lolo,Fernando, Tony and Alex
Miriam Fien
I will never forget all the fun we had eating and laughing. I also know that I am the most favorite cousin.
Favorite hah! That, I think is still up for debate!! We will have to check on it when we catch up with him!
My fondest memories of Arnie go to all of the times he picked me up from the airport and for all the times he got me back! Never forgetting to check the radio to decide which route and back ways would get me there on time! Grampie was such a kind man who treated my family as if we were his own. And never did we ever hesitate to head down the stairs for some apple pie! Xoxo
we went on went trips and toodles together, i remember one time i was visiting in calgary and i said to arnie, i would really like to go out for some really good german food, knowing that my brother always knew the best restaurants of every type and where they were located. arnie got really excited and oh for sure, we can go on friday, i know just the place it is just up the road in bragg creek. for those of u that don’t know this is a small town on the highway to banff. so indeed when he got home from work the following fri we set off on a toodle and had a fine meal. that was arnie he never hesitated to be the best tour guide one could ever ask for.
When I was 11 or 12, we were day tripping around southern Ontario and stopped for a picnic, as we often did. In trying to pull a prank on Dad I used my empty cup of water to pretend to throw water in his face to get a reaction ( or flinch). However, the cup wasn’t as empty as I thought as there was still water in the bottom. The water hit him square in the mouth and was dripping down his beard. As we both stood there staring at each other, mouths open in shock Mom yelled “Glen! Don’t just stand there…RUN!” That broke the silence and we all laughed pretty hard.
Although this happened many years ago I still remember the incident and
knowing Arnie’s quick temper I suddenly felt like Glen should make himself
very scarce and as he seemed to be in a trance I had to shout a warning
to him to get out of there! I still have to laugh when I think of that scenario,
which was one of many on our road of life!