Feb 15, 1923 - Nov 12, 2017
Art Bucholtz - He was really something else.
Art Bucholtz was born in Malinowka, Lublin, Poland on February 15, 1923, the second son of Wilhelm Bucholtz and Wanda Richter. The family arrived in Canada in 1927 and struggled to raise their family of seven children during the Depression. Art learned many lessons in those lean years of childhood, working alongside his parents.
He worked hard as a logger, then served in the Second World War as a piper, established Venus Cleaners in the 1940s, Cloverdale Sporting Goods in the 1950s, sold real estate in the 1960s and 1970s. He returned to real estate in the 1980s to help his son Stuart in the business. He enjoyed many years of "retirement," serving on boards, making mission trips to Mexico and Ireland, volunteering with hospice, summers in Osoyoos, and playing tennis.
His faith in God was his Rock and Foundation. He donated most of his wealth, only to be blessed again to give more away! He established the Arlin Foundation to continue supporting meaningful causes in perpetuity.
"People won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care," he said many times. Art shared the love of Jesus in all that he did - in his local community and all over the world.
Art had a servant's heart, with a smile on his face and a big hug for all. He was the most welcoming greeter at church, and often followed up with hosting visitors to a pancake lunch at his home. He was committed to his beloved wife of 65 years, Lynn. He also enjoyed beating his family members in cribbage games, eating fresh garden produce, reading his Bible every night, and trusting each day to the Lord. He was ready to go to heaven years ago, but he stuck around long enough to keep sharing his wisdom, and to be confident that his dear wife would be okay. Art and Lynn's amazing caregiver of four years, Susan Llavore, and all the wonderful staff at Simpson Manor in Fort Langley gave him the peace he needed to let go.
His family didn't know how quickly he would leave us, but some of them enjoyed sharing Remembrance Day with him, playing some crib and hanging out. On Nov. 12, after breakfast with his dear wife Lynn, his heart beat its last.
Our hearts suffer his loss. His wife Lynn (nee Woolard), his children Frank (Bonnie) Bucholtz, Holly (Peter) Stermshnig, Stuart (Barb) Bucholtz, Laurel (Steve) Glanfield.
He cherished and prayed for all of his 12 grandchildren: Andrew (Lisa) Bucholtz, Christina (Uzodima) Bucholtz, Amanda Takawira, Arthur (Rita) Glauser, Natalia (Blake) Glauser, Ivan Glauser, Solon (Michelle) Bucholtz, Frazer Bucholtz, Vera Bucholtz, Lauren (Jeremy) Boehm, Jordan (Farrah) Glanfield, and Joel (Kelsey) Glanfield.
Art was delighted to get to know his great-grandchildren Nakai, Henry, Anna, Jada, Norah, Alexsandra, Nicolai, Isla, Klara, and James.
He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers Fred, Ed, Alec, and sister Ida. He is mourned by his brother Alf (Mary) Bucholtz, his sister Olga LaCouvee, his brother-in-law Jack (Ollie) Woolard, sisters-in law Patricia (Ralph) Douglas and Carol (Darryl) Bell, thirty nieces and nephews, his cousin Harri Lokstein in Berlin, and extended family in Scotland. The Bucholtz family has lost a great man.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arlin Foundation, The People's Foundation of Sierra Leone, or the Alzheimer's Society.
Or take a friend to lunch! Art's interesting life can be read on his son Frank's blog, http://frankbucholtz.blogspot.ca/.
Please send your own memories of Art to bucholtzmemories@gmail.com.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 5950 179 Street, Surrey.
It will be followed by a lunch reception at Langley Golf Centre, 4343 216 Street, Langley from 12 to 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend both.