Obituary of  Frederick Arthur "Art" Tompkins

Art, at the grand age of 101, passed away peacefully at The Meadows Long Term Care, Ancaster on June 30, 2025.  He is predeceased by his wife Daphne, of 57 years, who he had known since elementary school in England. He was the second eldest in a family of eight children. Born in 1923 in Dunton Green, Kent, England, he served as sergeant in the local Home Guard, before joining the Royal Navy as a gunner aboard corvettes in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean Theaters. Near war’s end, he married Daphne and in 1957, together immigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, with their children Michael and Carol.

Art worked as a rigger in Stelco for 30 years, and upon retiring, became actively involved in the Canadian Legion. As the Stoney Creek branch president for 11 years, he was a principal in acquiring and renovating the Fox Theatre into the Legion branch of today. Thereafter, he became Zone Commander, a position he held for 3 years. The well being of vets had always been prominent in his mind.

Art is survived by Carol and Phil Josiak of Caistor Center, Jennifer, Michael, Cassandra and Mary. Michael and Grace Tompkins (nee Schouwstra) of Stratford, Tobin, Ashley, Taylor, Tanya and eight great grandchildren. No words can express how much he will be missed.  

 Art was also predeceased by his long-time friend and companion, Clara Collins.

Our sincere thanks to The Meadows Longterm Care for their kind and dedicated care.

Friends will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, Monday, July 7, 2025, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service

He will later be interred at Chapel Hill Cemetery, during a private family ceremony, next to Daphne In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice. Online condolences and notes of sympathy may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca.

Eight bells Grandad, your watch is over……. you’ve more than earned