Art embraced life with fullness and vivacity, these qualities determining all his important choices. He chose teaching as his first love.

         Art was married to his wife, Carol, for 45 years, and together they made a dynamic team for a decade, as educators at Orchard Park Secondary School in Stoney Creek. In his dedication to the school, where he taught mathematics for 32 years and became Department Head, Art was known as “Mr. Orchard Park.” He served as teacher advisor and coach for an impressive range of extra-curricular activities. As a talented fundraiser, one Principal remarked “Art can see a nickel on the floor, and by the time he picks it up it is a dime, and when it reaches his pocket it's become a dollar.”

     Art graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. At “O.P” he taught every math course offered to students from those needing foundational support to those requiring accelerated pacing and deeper, higher-level thinking.  Additionally, he took on summer school and night school, broadening the scope of students who came from both the former Wentworth and Hamilton Boards of Education. Art also tutored many students.

     When Art spoke at school assemblies he would have the entire student body in stitches. He was a naturally relaxed and gifted speaker who met students effortlessly at their level. To the difficult subject he taught, he brought clarity and exactness, even while entertaining classes using humour and entertaining flourishes. It was “usual” in the course of any school day to hear laughter travelling down the hallway from Art's classroom, coming at regular intervals from amused students. His warm, funny and clever personality enlivened numbers that would seem to come to life on a blackboard that presented strong evidence of a steady and adroit hand.

     Art's mother, Emily, who was outgoing, popular and charitable (she led several community projects in Burlington: one was the building of a school for challenged children), was an important influence and he inherited her charisma and empathy. She determined his moral compass, as Art's inner recurring question was, “Would my mother be proud of me if I did this.” Art's own philosophy can be summed up as, “Make It Happen”-- and that, he sure did. To the many students happening to cross his path in malls, and to the ex-students meeting up with him in their careers, he was grateful and humbled by their memories, their recognition of his influence, and their longstanding respect.

    Mr. Deckert was a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable teacher with the power to touch and change lives.

    Special thanks to Doug Lindley, Judy Redford, Taura and Dan Caroscio for their ongoing kindness during the past months. Also, Labs known as Tipper, Chanel and Jennie dearly loved Art. Therefore, donations to any animal charity would be appreciated. A private Celebration of Life has been planned according to Art's wishes.

    Condolences are invested with Donald V. Brown in Stoney Creek.