BERT MacARTHUR, 86, of Argyle, Ontario, Canada, passed into
Steam Engine Heaven on February 25, 1993, after a short illness. He
was born September 11, 1906, a member of a family of eleven. He is
survived by a sister and a brother, Dougald.
Bert was on his father’s steam engine platform as soon as he
could climb on, and by the time he was eleven was full time
Bert bought his first threshing outfit when he was twenty and
threshed in Eldon Township area for over 50 years. He gained a
respected reputation for his expertise. His knowledge of
sawmilling, stone crushing, shingle milling, buzz sawing firewood
in the off season is also legend. Bert also used tractor power
extensively, Rumely Oil Pulls being his favorite. At his death he
still owned two steamers, two Oil Pulls, three sawmills, several
other tractors plus other machinery.
He was always willing to help others by sharing knowledge, but
would often let them learn on their own, as he did, because that
way ‘you don’t forget.’ This I know personally.
Bert’s sense of humor is legend. He took great joy in
‘tormenting’ people. ‘You’d of laughed ’til you
died,’ he would often say.
Bert was an honorary member of East Lake Simcoe Pioneer Society.
He will be missed by many but will long be remembered by the
heritage he left for others to continue.
Submitted by admirer Ray Chidley, R.R. #4, Woodville,
Ontario, Canada K0M 2T0.
