Obituary of Arthur Vincent McCormick

Peacefully at home on July 30th, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer, Arthur Vincent McCormick, beloved husband of Josephine (Barrett) McCormick. Arthur was born on October 24, 1921, and was raised in Saint John, eldest son of the late Arthur C. and Mary Margaret (McDonald) McCormick. He attended St. Peter’s Boys and St. Vincent’s Boys schools. Arthur played baseball and hockey in his youth, but his passion was boxing, winning the Golden Gloves cup in 1939. Art met the love of his life, Josephine, through boxing, while visiting Josephine’s father Tom Barrett, a renowned local boxer, at his farm in East Saint John. On July 4th Art & Jo celebrated 58 years of marriage. At age 17, Art enlisted with the Canadian Army. He was stationed at Partridge Island until he turned 18 when he was deployed to France shortly after D-day and remained overseas for the duration of the war. He saw action in France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland as bombardier in the Artillery. The Canadian Legion recently honoured him with the ‘long standing service’ award, being a member for over 55 years. In 1945 Art joined the Saint John Fire Department, and over the years was promoted to Lieutenant, Captain and retiring as District Chief in 1982. Art was a devoted family man making sure “his girls” had a summer place every year from Brown’s Flat, Oak Point, Pamdenac, Lower Kars and finally Belleisle Bay. Oak Point and Belleisle rooted the family ties that remain today with the 2nd and 3rd generations of “McCormicks”. Memories have been made and passed down to the grandchildren of family poker games, barbeques, bon fires, lobster suppers, boating, and water skiing. This is a priceless gift from loving parents. For many years, Art and Jo spent their retirement in Vacation Village, Largo, Florida and Belleisle. Arthur is survived by his three daughters, Nancy (Wayne) Vallis, Jo-Ann (David) Boyle and Mary (Paul) McDade, as well as five grandchildren, Alison and Leah Vallis, Rosalind, Peter and Kevin McDade. Brother John Willard (Theresa) McCormick of Burton, and sister Alva (Donald) Perna of Johnstown, New York, sister-in-law Audrey (Barrett) McIntyre and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Art was predeceased by sisters Vera Hartt and Reta Alderman, brother Ralph McCormick, brothers-in-law Pete Alderman, Stephen Hartt, James Barrett, sister-in-law Margaret(Barrett) Fryer and nephew Terry Alderman. Resting at Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, N.B. (634-7424) with visiting on Thursday, 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 9pm. Legion tribute at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peters Church, Clarendon Street, Saint John, Friday, August 3, 2007, at 11 am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.