Longtime Langley City councillor Jack Arnold has died, the City announced Thursday.
Arnold, 72, passed away in his sleep on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 11.
“We are saddened by the loss of someone who gave so much of his life to public service. He will be remembered for being accepting of all and judgmental of none,” said Mayor Val van den Broek. “He was ever-present in the community and he will be missed. On behalf of Langley City council and staff, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jack’s daughter and the Arnold family, as they mourn the loss of Jack Arnold.”
Arnold was elected first in 1990 and served until he was defeated in the 2018 election.
“Twenty-eight years we were colleagues,” said Coun. Gayle Martin, “We were both elected in 1990.”
She remembered Arnold as a joker.
“Always getting a laugh out of people,” she said.
His sudden passing was a shock, she said.
The City changed tremendously over the 28 years Arnold sat on the council table.
“Jack was a big part of that, along with the rest of council,” she said.
Former mayor Peter Fassbender served with Arnold for 12 years.
“He was quite a unique individual,” Fassbender said.
There were times they didn’t agree on policy, and Arnold stuck to his personal principles and beliefs.
“I’ll always admire that,” Fassbender said.
Arnold served on numerous City council committees, and represented the City on national and international committees over the years.
He won the 2003/04 Award of Excellence from the Government of Canada, and was the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for community service.
Arnold’s defeat in the last election was considered a surprise, after a long tenure of uninterrupted service.
The flags at City hall will be at half mast on Thursday and Friday, and will be flown at half mast again for the day of his celebration of life, which has yet to be announced.
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Email: matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com
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