We Remember

PERRY, Arthur Dyson

February 26, 1926 — September 29, 2025

Arthur Perry passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, at the age of 99 years.

He is survived by his son Brian Perry and daughter-in-law Dixie Shirreff; and his siblings Marjorie Stephens, June Toms, and Tony Perry. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen in 2002.

Art was born and raised in Kelowna in a family of 11 children.  Art was right in the middle of 5 older siblings and 5 younger siblings.  The family lived on a 10-acre farm in East Kelowna.  He attended East Kelowna Elementary School and Kelowna Senior Secondary.  He left school in Grade 11 to join the Navy at age 17 in 1943.  He was a Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR).  This job took him all over the Northern Hemisphere until he was discharged in January 1946.

After returning to Kelowna, he completed grade 12 and several first-year university courses that the school offered at that time. In 1949, Art left school to enter a one-year course in watch repair and took a job repairing watches for three years in Vancouver, BC.  What he really wanted to do was to become a dentist, but that was a bit out of reach for him at the time.

Art married local Okanagan girl Doreen Stewart in 1955.  She was a schoolteacher.  They had one son, Brian.

He joined Purity Flour Mills as a travelling salesman for six years.  Once he got a taste of the open road, he decided he would be better off as an independent travelling salesman.  For six more years, he represented a variety of manufacturing lines and travelled around BC. He also owned and operated Vernon Esso Service, and then worked in sales for Lipsett Motors in Kelowna, and later sold appliances for Barr & Anderson.

Moving confidently into entrepreneurship, Art bought the 28-unit Cascade Motel in Quesnel, BC, and operated it for six years.  During this time, he served as the president of the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Quesnel Rotary Club.

Upon his return to Kelowna, he purchased an 88-unit motel called the Stetson Village Motel, operating this business for 5.5 years until his retirement.  Art involved himself in the local community by becoming a Director for the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for 5 years, as well as being a Director of the Okanagan Similkameen Tourism Association, going on to become a Lifetime Member.

In retirement, Art became Deputy District Electoral Officer for Okanagan East, organizing polling for the provincial elections.   He also became the “face” of volunteerism at Kelowna General Hospital, devoting untold hours to the “Snackery” in the lobby of the hospital. After Doreen passed away in 2002, Art moved to Sunrise Village, enjoying and contributing to the community life there.

Later in life, he enjoyed surfing the internet and playing computer games.  He cooked for himself, ensuring his diet was full of nutritious food.  He enjoyed walking through Kelowna, especially along Mission Creek Greenway, from the lake to Rutland.

Husband, father, veteran, entrepreneur, businessman, and community builder.  Art’s contributions were great, and he will be remembered by those whose lives he touched.

The family extends special thanks to the nurses and staff at Cottonwoods Extended Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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Canadian Cancer Society Link: cancer.ca

 


 


Condolences

  • kate dyson says:
    October 7, 2025 at 10:18 am

    So sorry to hear, Brian…but what a long and lovely life your Dad had. I think our Dads must have colluded to join the Navy early! Take care, Cousin…

    Reply
  • Stephen Given says:
    October 7, 2025 at 6:09 pm

    So sad to hear about your dad but what an amazing life he had. I will cherish fond memories of him.

    Reply

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