Arthur Lee-White, D.F.C., Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, of Rothesay, New Brunswick died peacefully at home on July 31, just 29 days shy of his 102nd birthday.  

Born in Liverpool, England on August 29, 1920, Arthur spent his early life in Lima, Peru before attending schools in England including Wrekin (where he was known as Arthur White), finally leaving in 1939. Returning to Peru, he later enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained in El Centro, California before transferring to England, eventually being posted to 263 Squadron where he performed operations over the English Channel and north-western France. For this, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was later posted to 88 Squadron and participated in D-day, laying smoke over the invasion fleet at Sword Beach. Afterward, he became the personal pilot for the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, as well as other dignitaries.

Following the war, Arthur returned to Peru and flew commercially into its remote regions before emigrating to Canada. Temporarily transferred to New Brunswick in 1950 he fell in love with the place, the people, and his future bride. After several years distributing films for RKO, he and his partners purchased Gill and Company, an industrial sales firm, where he worked for the next 35 years, becoming Canada’s first JCB backhoe dealership.

Arthur had a passion for helping young people achieve their potential and devoted much of his energy to various youth-oriented organisations, including Camp Medley, Rothesay Yacht Club, Rothesay Tennis Club, Kennebecasis Squash Club, and his beloved Poley Mountain. A firm believer in lifetime learning he assisted numerous people in furthering their education. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, tennis player, fly fisherman, and skier, and a passionate reader of Churchillian history and biographies. 

The son of the late Leonard (MBE) and Minnie (nee Wood), Lee White, Arthur was predeceased by his beloved wife Norah Brock. They had sixty-nine wonderful years together. Arthur is survived by his children Barbara, Leonard (Jodi), and Bettina (Gary) Thompson. He was the proud grandfather of Rebecca Buckley (Brett) Alec and Nina (AJ Kosonic) Lee-White and great-granddaughter Alice Buckley. He was also predeceased by his sister Margaret White and is survived by sister-in-law Bettina Dodds-Hebron, many nieces and nephews, English and Welsh cousins, and a plethora of friends.

(Official obituary)