With deep sadness we received the news this week of the death of a valued member of our community and faithful friend to all. Arthur Hill was a member here at the Church of all Nations (Carlton Mission) for most of his life.
Arthur grew up in Carlton during the Depression years of late 1920s and 1930s. Illness and limited finances were central to his early family years.
Arthur worked for the Taxation Department there he finished in a responsible position. He had a reputation for his detailed knowledge of the intricate taxation laws. Arthur used to travel to work by public transport and he would be constantly reading the latest texts on the Taxation law and regulations. He was always willing to give informed advice about income tax matters.
He had a close friendship with his brother in law, Albert Coles, who was the husband of May. I remember them coming from Preston regularly on Sunday evenings in the 1970’s when we had a small evening service.
Arthur always seemed at home at church whether he was a greeter, collector of the offering and communion steward. A vivid memory of Arthur each Communion Sunday was of him collecting the cups and taking them out to the kitchen and laboriously washing each one.
In his later years, Arthur was a very keen proponent of keeping fit. He was a regular attendee at the gym in his retirement and whenever it became a bit of a drag, he would say to himself, “Stroke, nursing home, wheelchair,” and that would be enough to motivate him to get in the car and off to the gym.
There are many good stories about the early days when they were kids at church. Particularly I recall the fiendish plot the young ones had to discomfort the choir members. A hole was made in one of the choir seats and a device set up so that a sharp pin could be manipulated from a distance into the posterior of the person sitting in that spot. It must have been operated by pulling on a piece of string connected to the choir seat.
Arthur was a mixture of shyness and talkativeness. Once given the opportunity to speak, he could talk with great interest and enthusiasm. At the recent Founders’ Day, he was very keen to see that we did justice to Rev. Penner who obviously was much appreciated by Arthur and others.
He was not particularly confident talking religious language or leading in vestry prayers. He was really a humble man of faith. If anyone got him talking about health, hearts, illness and he could talk in great detail and depth. He had a lot of problems with his heart in his retirement years, possibly related to his childhood times with rheumatic fever.
His life demonstrated better than words his values and his commitment. He is well described by the word ‘faithfulness’.
– Reflections by Mac Nicoll
Arthur Hill died at home on Tuesday evening. His funeral will be held at Church of All Nations on Thursday 19 June at 2:30pm.
