Tributes for 'amazing' Arthur, 102 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

''He was just the most amazing man,' say friends

7:30am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

CRACKING jokes and having fun is how 102-year-old Arthur Owen is fondly remembered by his friends.

Tributes have been paid to this much-loved man, from Weaver Road, Runcorn, who passed away peacefully in Whiston Hospital last Tuesday.

A memorial service is being held in Weston today.

Known as ‘snowy’, he shunted steam locomotives around at ICI, from 1939 until he retired.

As a boy, he walked to school in bare feet and used to push a cart around town selling paraffin and sticks for his dad’s shop.

Dawn Kenwright, borough co-ordinator for Halton at Age UK, set up the Active Pensioners Club with him almost 20 years ago.

She said: “He was the most positive ‘young at heart’ older person I have ever met. He was just the most amazing man.

“He always helped others and did an awful lot for older people.

“He used to say: ‘I’ll take some flowers for the old dears’. They’d be in their 70s and he was in his 100s.

“You could learn a lot from Arthur. He was absolutely unique, a brilliant character."

Jean Allen, from the club, said: “He was loved by all our members. He was so witty.

“He loved his birthdays. I remember him doing the conga when he was 101. He had so much energy.

“He brought flowers for all the ladies every week.”

Widow Arthur lived at home with his grandson, Paul, until last year when he went into Oak Meadow, and more recently, Widnes Hall Care Home.

Members of the Active Pensioners Club plan to hold a collection and donate it to Widnes Hall Care Home. They will also hold a minute's silence in his memory at their next meeting.

His son, James, aged 67, said: ”He never drank or smoked and signed for his body to go to medical science.”

Arthur has another son, William, aged 71. His wife, Ivy died in 1994, aged 81.