They cut people from slightly different cloth in Northern Ontario, and Arthur Fraser (Art to his friends), was a fellow who cut his own cloth. He had a way with heavy equipment, and he seemed to be able to figure up a way through just about any mechanical conundrum. He was one of those guys you could always go to for an answer.

Art passed away on Thursday in Sturgeon Falls at the age of 80 after a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Art had more or less retired from the trucking industry in 2004 following a stint with Cooper Crane and partnership with son, Don, called Fraser Transport. Before that, Art with Volume Tank Transport, Commercial Tank Lines and Trans-Provincial Freight Carriers among other companies in Ontario’s near north.

I was lucky enough to come under Art’s influence while working as an owner-operator with Volume Tank Transport. He taught me the value of patience and reason when it came to sorting out problems. He taught me the best solution wasn’t always the first one you came up with and to always dig deeper into the problem to make sure you had all the possible outcomes covered. While he was a gearhead at heart, he had the soul of a teacher and very keen sense of observation. He always just knew the right way of doing things even though he lacked the textbook knowledge of how to do it.

Art Fraser was a very clever fellow and he’ll be sorely missed by anyone who ever had the pleasure of working with him.

The family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Rd, North Bay, Ont. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Au Chateau Home for the Aged in Sturgeon Falls.