Arthur William Best

February 5, 1931 – March 3, 2025

Arthur "Art" William Best passed peacefully in his 95th year. He was the son of the late William Best and Emily Priestly and dear brother to the late Joan Daniels, Dorothy Kent, and William (Billy) Best. He grew up near the grounds of his beloved Leeds United Football Club in England.

Loving father to Stewart, Stephen (Vicki), Brenda (the late Ray), Ian (Eugene), and Eric (the late Roland). During World War II, with his father serving in Burma, Art delivered food on his bike for a local butcher, where he learned his trade as a trainee butcher. He spent weekends cycling across Yorkshire, with Ilkley Moor and Scarborough among his favorite destinations.

In 1952, Art sailed from Liverpool with friends to Canada, working in a logging camp before moving to Toronto in 1953-54. There, he met the love of his life, Sylvia Louise Roberts (1934-1993), an English girl from Bath. They married in 1955 and raised their five children in Scarborough.

Art worked as a butcher at A&P (now Metro) on Kennedy Road in Scarborough until his retirement. He and Sylvia were deeply involved in Scouts Canada, serving as leaders for many years. Art was a gentle soul who loved fishing and sharing a beverage with friends, especially longtime friend Ed Day and his late neighbors, Norm Tyrell and Ernie Rodrigues.

He was a cherished grandfather to Fiona, Diane, Nikki, Bill, Shelby, and Haley, always making sure they had “pocket money” during visits. He was also proud of his 12 great-grandchildren—Tyler, Paige, Lexi, Kylie, Hailey, Hanna, Mya, Ethan, Ashton, Lily, Joshua, and Kaitlyn—as well as his four great-great-grandchildren, Tucker, Mason, Emma, and Lila.

Art leaves behind a loving legacy of family and friends, including dear companion Gwen Duffley, who brought joy into his later years. He will be remembered as a kind and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed and dearly loved.