Arthur Hudell

Arthur John Hudell, 95, whose heart remained on the 25th Sideroad of Innisfil, passed away on Sunday, January 21st, 2024. His devoted wife of 61 years, Erica, and his loving daughter, Sheila, were by his side as he ended his days peacefully at Simcoe Hospice. 

Art was born on December 20th, 1929 to George and Eliza Hudell in Regina, Saskatchewan. He grew up in nearby Fort Qu’Appelle, which he often said was the very best place for a child to grow up. Nestled in the Qu’Appelle Valley, his childhood home was next to Echo Lake, a source of much fun and many fish. He spent his childhood roaming the hills and playing in the fields. Such was his great memory of the childhood that began his long life, that his ashes will be placed alongside his Mom and Dad and two brothers at the cemetery in Fort Qu’Appelle. 

At the early age of 18, Art moved to Ontario in search of work during difficult economic times. He was mechanically minded and a hard worker and succeeded in obtaining his qualification as a Stationary Engineer, putting that to use at the British Oxygen plant in Toronto. It was there that he met a hardworking secretary named Erica who was interested in starting up a bowling league and had heard that Art was the best bowler around. 

With their toddler son, Mark, they decided to move out of the city to a cottage property that Art owned in Innisfil Township, and where, a year later, their daughter, Sheila, was born. They never looked back and built a life in Innisfil, where they made many friends and ran Ardel Marine Construction providing cottagers throughout the area with docks, boat lifts, and marine railways of the highest quality. He was also the best darned icemaker the Stroud Curling Club has ever had! 

Art worked very hard his whole life to support his family and lend a helping hand to his many close friends. He built a cottage on the edge of the Severn River that was his pride and joy, sharing that space with a family that loved every inch of the property and welcoming many friends. 

As those who know him would attest, Art never wanted to retire, toiling away in the shop beside the house and in the yard until, sadly, he began his long battle with dementia and they moved to Allandale Station Retirement Residences to ease dementia’s burden. In the end, it was a cancer that had grown silently that took down his strong, ever active body. 

Art is survived by his wife Erica, children Mark and Sheila, and grandchildren Joel, Sebastian, Skylar, and Addison. 

In lieu of a memorial event, the family will be making a donation to Simcoe Hospice, where they were blessed to spend the last week of Art’s life, letting him know that he was loved and appreciated and could go in peace to a lake and rolling hills beyond. Should anyone feel they wish to do anything for the family, they would ask a small donation be made to Simcoe Hospice in Art’s name. https://hospicesimcoe.ca/