Arthur passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, in Markham, Ontario aged 88 after a life well lived. Beloved husband of Beryl Critchley (nee Kirkbride) for 61 years. Loving father of Frances (Neil) and Ian (Michelle). Proud grandfather of Julia, Adam, and Samantha. Predeceased by his brother Samuel, mother Edith, and father Samuel Sr.

Born December 17, 1936 in Luton, England, Arthur lived as a child through WW2 and his family survived a 1944 rocket that landed near their home. He attended middle school in St. Annes, studied electronics at Bolton Technical College, apprenticed at Pye Ltd in Cambridge, and then served as a Scientist in the Royal Air Force for two years. He had a passion for planes, trains, and cars, but most especially trams –he worked as a young ticket conductor on the Blackpool trams near his home.

After the RAF he returned to Pye’s as an Engineer in the Television Department. Eventually his ambition took him to work at the prestigious British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a TV Studio Engineer, designing TV cameras and control rooms. After several years there he went to EMI doing similar work. Along the way he became a church organist and also played the cinema organ. He especially loved the theatre organ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom – and fulfilled his lifelong ambition to play it on a visit in 2015.

Offered a job in Canada, Arthur moved his family to Markham in 1975, where he lived for over 50 years. He and Beryl attended Lemonville United Church, where he was the church organist for 45 years. He also wrote history books about the town of Lemonville, and about the Ministers of the church.

After a few years in Canada he started his own company called Key Video and built TV routing switchers for CBC, and for SkyDome’s first giant TV screen the “JumboTron”. With the advent of digital TV, he switched to the design of church and theatre organs with Classic Organ until retirement at age 80.

He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, as an accomplished Professional Electronics Engineer, a genealogist, photographer, for his musical concerts, and for being a true gentleman.

Thank you to the caring staff at Woodhaven Long Term Care, and Markham Stouffville Hospital. Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. In memory of Arthur, have a cookie or two – his favourite snack!

Should you wish, donations in Arthur’s memory can be made to Parkinson Canada or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research