Arthur “Art” Allen Cotton

Passed away on September 28, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in Fort Erie, Ontario, Art was the son of Allen Cotton and Louise Cotton (later Hunt), and brother to Leo, Allan and William. Art began working for CNR immediately after graduating from high school, beginning a career that would span most of his working life. He worked as a diesel electrician and retired at the age of 56. Art was a man who liked to keep busy and enjoyed working with his hands. Retirement certainly didn’t mean sitting still; he continued to work and especially enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Art played fastpitch and hockey and later gave his time to coaching. On December 19, 1980, Art married Annie, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 46 years. With their marriage, two families became one. Art brought his daughter, Anne Marie, from his first marriage to Nera, and Annie brought her sons, Chris, Patrick and Ronald. Together, Art and Annie built a family shaped not simply by how it began, but by the many decades of life they shared. Art’s Christian faith and his church family were essential to his life. He was a longtime member of Sarnia Evangelical Missionary Church, where he faithfully served in many capacities, including church senior lunches as a server for 12 years. Arthur Allen Cotton  served as a trustee and eventually became head trustee, a responsibility he took seriously, and one he was not particularly eager to give up. Art also invested many years in the children of the church. He served as the head of the Kids Club and taught Sunday school, sharing his time and his faith with generations of children. His connection to the church remained important right to the end. Only this past August, Annie gave Art’s church keys to Pastor Deve. It was a simple but meaningful moment after so many years of Art faithfully caring for a church and church family that had been such a central part of his life. Art leaves behind his wife, Annie; his sons Chris (Sara), Patrick (Beth) and Ronald; his grandson Jackson, son of Anne Marie and Darryl; and his grandchildren Cassidy (Jonathan), Kaiya (Will), Carleigh, Bekah (Liam) and Isaac (Olivia). He is also survived by his brothers Allen and William, along with extended family and many friends. Art was predeceased by his daughter Anne Marie (2009); his granddaughter Kacie (1998), Chris and Sara’s first daughter; his brother Leo (1992); and his parents, Allen and Louise. Art will be remembered as a trusted friend to many and as a man who often showed his care through what he did. He worked hard, coached, taught, fixed things, tended gardens, served his church and invested in people. His many years teaching children, serving his congregation and faithfully caring for Sarnia Evangelical Missionary Church are an important part of the legacy he leaves behind. Art’s family was built in more than one way—through birth, marriage, shared faith and nearly half a century of life together. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by the family, church family and friends whose lives became part of his own. Family and friends will be received for visitation Thursday, October 1st, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sarnia Evangelical Missionary Church, 707 Talfourd Street, Sarnia, Ontario followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to charity of choice (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca.

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