Obituary of Arnold Barry Robertson

Of Hantsport, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, in his 95th year. Born in Four Falls, New Brunswick, February 14, 1931, he was a son of the late George William Jr. and Laura Livinia (Hicks) Robertson.

When still very young, his family moved to Queens County, NS, where they resided with his grandmother Hicks in the old homestead. They later moved to the Annapolis Valley where, for a time, they settled at White Waters near Blomidon, then to a house on the Bluff Road near Hantsport where Arnold worked. After his mother's passing in 1952, he and his father took an apartment in the Regan building (formerly the Presbyterian Church). It was while there that he married Phyllis Joyce Arenburg of Kentville in 1954, they shared life together for over 60 years.

Dad was able to buy the farm property on the Old Post Road in Kings County (not far from Lockhartville), where even after moving into Hantsport he had his garden, wood-lot and for many years supplied our annual Christmas tree. He would also be busy tapping maple trees to make syrup. After living in different apartments in town Dad bought a house, 27 William Street, across from the town Post Office; it was here that he continued to live up to the time of his passing. It was built ca.1836 for Capt. Anthony Coalfleet (a master mariner); later owned by a sail-maker and Arnold added the latest seafaring connection having been a member of crews on the gypsum vessels out of Hantsport in his younger days when he travelled to Staten Island, New York, Philadelphia and Jacksonville, Florida. The seafaring took place during slack periods at the Pulp and Barker mills in Hantsport (where he gained the nickname, “Junior”, being only 15 years old when he began working there), then transferred to the CKF (Canadian Keyes Fibre) moulded pulp products plant where he remained for several decades until retirement as a lead hand in the finishing department.

Arnold was active with the I.O.O.F Edwards Lodge earning the 50 year jewel and the Baptist Mens' Fellowship. In retirement he took up wood-turning, continued tapping maple-trees, enjoying time with his son's dog, Joffy, political cartooning for a local news leaflet and penning “Letters to the Editor”. However, his lifelong passion was participating in road races which he began at the age of 16 years. Dad was the last surviving runner of the original Richard Beazley Memorial 6 Mile Road Race in Hantsport (1948). He participated in the Halifax Natal Day Road Race as well as that for Dartmouth (beginning in the 1950s). In 2025 (using his walker) he completed the Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race circuit for which he received an award of special recognition. Run Nova Scotia had to add new categories as Arnold continued to compete reaching the Titanium level for oldest runner. To encourage young people to join the sport he established a two mile race for the July 1st celebrations. Now both the Richard Beazley Race and the Two Mile Arnold B. Robertson Race are regular features. (The ladies Two Mile Trophy was named the Phyllis J. Robertson Trophy in honour of Dad's wife, who supplied donuts for the runners). During later years both he and his son, David Robertson, travelled the provincial racing circuit and made a wide circle of running friends. Both he and David competed in 10 km races in Montreal and Fredericton, while Dad ran a 10 km in Toronto (the Zoo Run). In later years a running friend, Alma Bruce, would walk alongside him to the finish line.

Arnold was the son of a miller, descendant of sailors and master mariners and the Loyalist Robert Barry of Shelburne and Liverpool (a correspondent of the Reverend John Wesley). In each generation thereafter at least one person bore the Barry name hence Arnold Barry Robertson (which he bequeathed to his son, Allen Barry). Born nearly a century ago Dad had a grade five education but went on to take correspondence courses to upgrade his math skills, had Mom assist him to improve his reading and writing and went on to pen letters for the newspapers. He was always curious about the world and made certain that his children were taken to museums, historic sites and to Citadel Hill in Halifax where his father had served two terms back when Queen Victoria still ruled the British Empire. Arnold was known as well as a fiddle and guitar player. For many years he appeared on the Christmas Daddies Show (now the Christmas Angels) to play guitar and sing. His son, David continues the musical tradition on guitar and banjo.

Arnold is survived by his sons, Allen, Halifax and David, Hantsport; daughter, Ann Marie (John) Campeau-Decelles, Cornwall, Ontario; grandson, Jonathan (Lorie) Campeau (Cornwall) and great-grandson, Kallum Maurice Campeau; cousins, Wilma Hicks Nickerson, Truro and Susie McKenna Ameriault, Yarmouth; special friends, Joanna Bishop Covert (Carolene's sister), Jerry and Sue Coneybeare and Ron Elliott, Truro, Chris Anderson, Lunenburg, Stephen Newcomb and Bob Newcomb as well as his many running buddies.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Joyce; infant son, John; brother and sister-in-law, William and Isabel; daughter-in-law, Carolene Bishop Robertson.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A funeral service will be held Friday, June 26 at 2 p.m., in Hantsport Baptist Church, Rev. Jennifer Riley officiating, with interment immediately afterward in Riverbank Cemetery. A reception will follow in the church’s Wellwood Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Arnold B. Robertson Two Mile Race C/O Hantsport Memorial Community Centre, PO Box 520, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0; West Hants Dial A Ride, PO Box 2618, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0; Christmas Angels program of Windsor; or to the charity of one’s choice. Messages may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca, opening the obituary and clicking on the condolence tab.