John passed away after a short battle with cancer surrounded by family on Saturday November 23rd, 2024 at the age of 68 years. Loving father to daughter, Victoria (Chouaib) and son Christie as well as granddaughter Hana. He will be dearly missed by brother David (Beth), close friend and former spouse Alex Milroy, and fondly remembered by many extended family members, friends, and colleagues.
Born in Montreal, QC to the late Thomas Christie Arnold from Bermuda and Marie Blanche Louise Proulx from Chicoutimi, QC. John’s formative years were across Geneva, Toronto, Ottawa, New York State, and St. Catharines, before graduating from Mount Allison University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Commerce.
John spent the majority of his career with the Liberal Party of Canada where he recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of service having risen to Senior Director of Regulatory Compliance & Administration. He took great fulfillment from his work and the community there, having no desire to retire even after achieving this milestone. While John loved the contractual and administration work he especially enjoyed the social aspects of his position, and could often be found at local & national events and networking opportunities. John was a mainstay of the LPC organization, and his presence will be missed by all those who had the opportunity to work with him.
John was an excellent cook and had the ability to fix almost anything. In his spare time he enjoyed doing renovations to his home, tending to the garden, spending time with family, and going on long daily walks. His house was a testament to his abilities as he transformed a fixer-upper into a beautiful, thoughtfully designed home. John loved to travel, and would often be joined by his son on trips, typically including at least one winery destination. As a dedicated grandfather John always showed up to cheerleading competitions and horse shows to support his beloved Hana. John was also a devoted son, who diligently supported his mother Louise until she reached the end of her own journey last year.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 14th from 3-5pm at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON).
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Bruyere Foundation, 43 Bruyere Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5C8.
Digital Guestbook
Violeta Maniotakis
Noémie Julien
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of John. He was a valued colleague at LPC and, as these comments attest, a very important part of the culture, friendship and loyalty that make it a special place. John gave me my first job interview in Ottawa, shortly after graduating, and I owe him in part the career I am so thankful to have.
My sympathies to his children and his loved ones.
Michael Pullen
I learned a lot working with you, John. You and your Bermuda fashions will be missed.
Justin
I was deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. He was a devoted member of our Liberal family, and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
John's 30 years of service to our party is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for making a difference in the lives of Canadians. His countless contributions to our team, both behind the scenes and through his active presence, were invaluable and will not be forgotten.
John's passing is a great loss to our Liberal family, and our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May his memory live on through the many lives he touched, and may we carry on his legacy of hard work, generosity, and commitment to community.
Ian McKay
I am saddened to hear of the passing of John Arnold. For 30 years and nine election cycles, John’s knowledge, dedication and unwavering commitment to the Liberal Party made him an indispensable colleague and constant, reliable presence to everyone he worked with. He will be greatly missed. My condolences go to John’s family and friends.
Adam Smith
I am deeply saddened by the passing of John, an outstanding colleague and a true professional who dedicated his career to the Liberal Party of Canada. John was not only committed to the work we shared, but he also embodied the values of community and camaraderie that make the LPC what it is today. His contributions over three decades have left an indelible mark on the organization, and I know his presence will be sorely missed.
What I will remember most about John is the passion and excitement he conveyed when he spoke about his children. It was clear that being a father—and later, a devoted grandfather—was his greatest pride and joy.
It is shocking to hear of his passing, and my heart goes out to his family. May they find comfort and love during this difficult time. Rest in peace, John—you will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing you.
Oliver Anderson
Through the years I worked at the Party office, John was a bedrock presence to the organization, helping guide the way through some of the tougher years I was there. He was kind to younger staff and generous with his time. This is very tragic, my deep condolences to his family.
Don Hopkins
I shared the workplace with John for more than 10 years. He was a consummate professional who saw to it that the LPC thrived under his guidance. His value to the Party cannot be over stated and his influence shall be felt well into the future. We have lost our helmsman but his touch remains. John offered the same richness of person on the personal level. I came to know him as a friend, sharing thoughts, opinions and family stories. I miss his smile, laugh, the interest shown in my life and I am thankful that John shared himself with me. His passing has truly saddened me. I offer my deepest sympathy to John's family.
Mike Crawley
I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing. Political parties are very dynamic and their circumstances change from time to time. John was essential to ensuring the foundation of the Liberal Party remained intact and strong through all these changes. This is key element to our democracy - helping ensure voters have credible choices in each election. More personally, I remember John as a very warm and caring person underneath his efficient, effective and diligent approach to his work.
Bob Rae
John Arnold was a very fine person. During my time as Interim Leader I worked closely with the team at Metcalfe Street as we started the great rebuild. His good cheer and strong support in those days was wonderful. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. Bob Rare
I am saddened that my dear friend, John, is no longer with us. I will remember all the great conversations and time spent together throughout the years. John was not just a mentor but a true friend, who never forgot to reach out to our family, as we celebrated wedding, birthdays, home moves, and arrival of our son. His positive outlook on life even as he faced this diagnosis was inspiring to see. During this time of grief, I hope that his children and loved ones find some comfort in knowing what a great human being John was and how much he loved them. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.