Obituary of NEIL VINCENT MCARTHUR

NEIL VINCENT MCARTHUR Neil Vincent McArthur, 71, passed away on July 4, 2015, with his family by his side, at the Health Sciences Center MICU. Neil was born February 16, 1944 to the late Vincent and Myrtle McArthur. Neil began his career with Eaton’s delivering catalogues, where they quickly moved him to furniture because of his size. After Eaton’s, he did a stint at Standard Aero and then to Perth’s delivering out to the Whiteshell and painting trucks. Neil soon discovered that working for others was not for him and this is when the legend began. Neil started McArthur's towing in the mid 1960's and by 1975 McArthur's Towing had become so well known it was a household name, like Tide. You can still find McArthurs' Towing signs around Winnipeg. In the early 1980’s, Neil decided to sell McArthur's Towing and make a move out to the country, where he bought a 160 acre hobby farm. On the farm, Neil also moved his business Northside Auto Sales and Towing there. Neil was a great entrepreneur and during the last 35 years, Neil has had numerous businesses and at one time had 3 businesses running at the same time, Northside, McArthur's Bargain Center and Barks n Bubbles. He even had his online businesses. During Neil’s career, he discovered a love for cars and racing. Neil first started his love on the drag strip, and later spent many weekends travelling to the Northern states, Brooklands, and Winnipeg Speedways for dirt track racing. Neil was a force to contend with on the track and held the championship for 3 years straight. He also supplied Winnipeg Speedway with tow trucks during his many years of involvement there. Neil retired from racing when he broke his ribs and punctured his lung in a bad crash. But Neil passed his love for racing to each of his children by building a dirt track in the back of his property and by helping them build their own race cars. He also passed on his love for Florida, taking the kids 3 times a year to Panama City. Neil purchased a home there in the mid 1980's where he spent most of his early retirement only having to come back to Canada for good when his health issues became too great to care for in the US. Neil began playing power wheelchair hockey since losing both of his legs and this season, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year. He loved the game of hockey both on the ice and in his wheelchair. He met a lot of great friends, in the power wheelchair hockey league and was looking forward to going to Toronto for the championship tournament, August long weekend. Neil is survived by his wife Margaret McArthur, 8 children; Russell (Jen) McArthur, Stacy McArthur, Wayne Erstelle, Steven McArthur, Heather (George) Smrekar, Patrick McArthur (Nick Juan), Corina (Kris) Hokanson, Tammie McArthur (Cory Stasiuk) and his 16 grandchildren; Robert, Tayler, William, Bailey, Brooke, Peyton, Joshua, Keira, Matthew, Amy, Keeley, Grayson, Travis, Alysha, Colton and Wyatt. He is also survived by his brother Wayne (Irene) McArthur, 2 nieces and numerous cousins. Neil has gone to the great dirt track in the sky and to play with his beloved dog, Blackie. He was great man with a great sense of humour and he touched the hearts of many. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to STARS Ambulance, the first responders, the staff at HSC and Seven Oaks Hospital for all their wonderful care. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Wheelchair access to all areas. Interment to Glen Eden Memorial Gardens to follow. All are welcome to come and celebrate Neil’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Manitoba Power Wheelchair Hockey League, 825 Sherbrook Ave Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5.