Hector R. Arbour, 63

Hector R. Arbour, 63, "went to be with God" on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, after a brave and valiant struggle with cancer. His constant positive attitude as he faced this uphill battle was an inspiration to all of us.

Hector was born in Augusta, Maine, on Dec. 16, 1943, the son of Hector C. and Maria (Gosselin) Arbour. His early years were spent on "Sand Hill" in Augusta, where many precious moments were shared with family and friends. As he was growing up, "Babe," as he was known, played Legion Ball and delivered newspapers on Sand Hill.

Hector graduated from St. Augustine School in 1958 and Cony High School in 1962. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Bowdoin College in 1966, and subsequently obtained his master's degree from Russell Sage College in Albany, N.Y. While at Bowdoin, he was a member of Beta Theta Phi, where he made and maintained friendships that have lasted all his life. During the baseball season, their usual greeting was: "Go Red Sox!"

Hector was employed by Travelers' Insurance Company in the Medicare claims department for 25 years, and his work required that he and his family move to different locations in Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts; and Voorheesville and Albany in New York. While living in Voorheesville, he was elected town justice, a position he took very seriously. Not only did he try cases, but also he had the pleasure of marrying many couples as part of that job. After retiring, he moved to his beloved Montana in 1995, in sight of the mountains he loved so much. In Kalispell, he was a photographer for Kalispell News and later worked for Karen Weyer Photography.

Hector was a past member of the Elks and Kiwanis Clubs and a present member of the Flathead Shrine Club, having been chairman of the Shrine Circus in Kalispell for many years. He was "Shriner of the Year" in 2001. He was happy to find children who could benefit from the care Shriners Hospitals could give. He worked diligently to raise the money to make that happen.

Hector loved his God, his family, hiking and biking in Glacier Park, and traveling. He was a loving husband, devoted father and proud grandfather. His favorite meal included lobster, orange soda, chips, followed by ice cream. His family made sure that he always was treated to this when he visited them in Augusta and on their trips to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. His appreciation of nature was evident in the photography he enjoyed and shared with others. From the windows of his home in Kalispell he could watch the panorama of the changing mountain scenes, the geese, ducks, deer, eagles, hawks, fox, and coyotes as they passed the property.

Hectors favorite saying was "life is good," and he worked hard to make that true! A sports fan, he avidly followed the Red Sox, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and any NBA team that Steve Nash played for. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was an honest, honorable, and loving man.

Hector was preceded in death by his father, Hector C. Arbour; two brothers, Bertrand J. Arbour and J. Clement Arbour; and his brother-in-law, Herbert G. Foley.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, at the family home in Kalispell; his mother, Maria Arbour; his sisters, Christine I. Arbour, of Augusta, and Jacqueline Foley, of Hallowell, Maine. He is also survived by his daughter, Nicole, and husband, Richard Lennon, and grandchildren, Alexandra, Samantha, and Victoria, of Tampa, Fla.; his son, David, and wife, Mary Lynn, and grandchildren, Sarah and Michael, of Port Richey, Fla.; his daughter, Renay Arbour, and husband, Davide Cernuschi, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; extended family, Joseph Chase of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Susan Chase, Frank Bellion, and granddaughter, Marie-Claire of Hayling Island, England. Also surviving are nephews, Michael and Dennis Arbour; nieces, Kim Bard, Susan Fontaine, and Lisa Pare, all of Augusta, and Kathy Smith of Sacramento, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Lucienne Arbour and Gloria Fleming, of Augusta; and grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and an aunt.

A memorial service to celebrate Hector's life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell, with food and fellowship afterward in the basement.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Flathead Shrine Club, P.O. Box 762, Kalispell, MT 59903. Please designate for the transportation fund, so the travel expenses can be paid to the more than 150 Flathead Valley youths who are sponsored by the local Shrine Club.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Hector's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Hector's guest book.