From the Archives: Learn more about Sedgewick Sentinel/Community Press founder Arthur James (AJ) Honey.
(Information taken from The Canadian Statesman – February 6, 1958) – Mr. Arthur James Honey was born in Newcastle, Ontario on March 30, 1869.
The late Mr. Honey became apprenticed to the Canadian Statesman of Bowmanville, Ont., around the age of fourteen years. As a young man, he moved to Toronto, shortly afterward marrying Miss Jennie Tucker of Bowmanville, in 1892. His wife predeceased him in 1903 leaving one daughter, Mildred.
In 1905 he married Miss Emma Grant of Toronto, formerly of Bowmanville, and in 1907 the family went to western Canada. Mr. Honey opened a Job Printing firm at Edmonton, Alta., but after a year started a weekly newspaper in Sedgewick, Alta., called “The Sentinel.” He owned and published this for ten years at which time he moved to Vancouver, BC, where he worked at the printing trade until his retirement.
His optimistic spirit was never drowned by illnesses and it may be remembered by friends in Bowmanville that the summer of 1955 he spent six weeks visiting his old friends there; Ontario was always his “special spot, beloved over all.”
He remained very active to the end, though he did have to give up being an active lawn bowler a few years back, a past-time he had so greatly enjoyed for over thirty years. Even up to the Sunday, tow days before his death, he attended church in the morning, then went to the Symphony Concert in the afternoon, his love of good music was constant all through life.
His upright carriage and brisk walk belied his years and his friends found it hard to believe his true age. On his 85th birthday, a local newspaper printed “Many Happy Returns to Arthur J. Honey of 4595 West 6th Avenue, who was 85 this week and doesn’t look a day over 70!”
His wife Emma predeceased him in 1941 and since that time he had made his home with his daughter. Both the late Mr. and Mrs. Honey had been members of the Canadian Memorial Church since its inception, and Mr. Honey had been a member of the Board for many years; Envelope Steward for about sixteen years, then an Elder and at the time of his death an Honourary Elder.
Mr. Honey was a member of I.O.O.F. and a member of the Typographical Union.
Mr. Honey died on January 7, 1958, in hospital at Vancouver, BC. A funeral was held in the church he worked and worshipped for so many years.
