BIGELOW, Arnon ‘Arnie’ Frederick 1943 – 2024

Arnon ‘Arnie’ Bigelow of Vulcan, passed away peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Centre on July 4, 2024 at the age of 80 years.

Arnie was born in Trochu, Alberta, the second oldest of five children to Carl and Reeta Bigelow. He grew up in the Wimborne area, attending schools in Collingwood, Wimborne and graduating high school in Torrington.

In 1963, Arnie’s parents and the family left Canada moving to Coeur d’Alene, ID where they owned and operated a motel. In 1964, fate brought Arnie back to Canada.

It was in 1965 that Arnie met Pat Walker in Calgary, thanks to a roommate. Arnie and Pat had never crossed paths even though they grew up 12 miles apart. In April 1966, they were married in Trochu and took up residence in Calgary. Six years later, Jason was born and two years after that, Todd was born, completing the family.

Arnie enjoyed several sports: hockey, curling, golf, pickleball and finally, playing pool with the local seniors group. He also helped coach both boys in hockey.

From the time Arnie was a young boy, he loved music. His mother once told Pat that when he was about 8 years old, coming home from school one day, she could hear him singing, ‘How Much Is That Doggie In The Window’. One of his passions after retiring was lengthy evening karaoke sessions; all the better when others joined in. He loved a good time. Arnie was very easy going and enjoyable to be around.

Arnie was entrepreneurial in nature and a natural salesman. For the last 30 years of his working career he was a Landman for various consulting firms, retiring in 2009.

Arnie loved family and enjoyed family events, for years helping organize the Bigelow family reunions which happened every year until Covid. They were originally started by his dad’s family in the 1920’s.

In 1976, Arnie, Pat and family were introduced by close friends to a resort called Siksika. In 1980, they bought a cabin, as they saw the potential of a great weekend getaway where they could golf and spend quality family time together. The resort was later renamed Hidden Valley Golf Resort. Good times were had and many lifelong friendships were made. Unfortunately it all came to an end with a devastating flood in June of 2013. Looking for a place to call home, they settled in Vulcan along with many others from the resort. They immersed themselves in the community enjoying golf and meeting many new friends and are forever grateful they moved to Vulcan.

Arnie and Pat enjoyed the Snowbird lifestyle for 14 years in their motorhome, traveling throughout Canada and the U.S.; Arnie especially enjoyed the warm weather of the south.

Unfortunately in June of this year, time was not on Arnie’s side and four weeks from the time he was diagnosed with brain cancer, he passed away peacefully in the Vulcan Community Health Centre on July 4th with Pat by his side. He will be forever loved and missed.

Arnie is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pat; sons Jason (Lori) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Todd (Kim) of Langdon, Alberta; grandfather to: Calista and Lacy of St. John’s, Newfoundland; Morgan, Evan and Mia of Langdon, Alberta. Arnie is also survived by a sister, Anita, of Calgary and a brother, Rick (Jennifer) of Beaverton, Oregon.

The family would like to thank the Doctors, nurses and support staff of the Foothills Hospital and Vulcan Hospital for the special care Arnie received.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 2 pm at the Vulcan Legion Hall. Inurnment will take place at Trochu Cemetery at a later date.

Tributes in Arnie’s memory can be made to the Vulcan Health Care Palliative Unit, Box 299, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0, or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.