Obituary of Arthur MacKenzie Dechman

Arthur MacKenzie Dechman – P. Eng., BE,Bsc. Of West LaHave, (89) passed away Tuesday, July 30th at South Shore Regional Hospital.Son of George and Edith Dechman; Arthur was born February 14, 1924 in Bridgetown and raised in Bridgewater; where his home was the historic Fairview Inn. He attended Acadia University before entering the RCAF during World War II; and returned to Acadia before obtaining his final Engineering degree from Dalhousie/N. S. Tech. Arthur joined Acadia Construction Company where he served for 40 years and retired as President and CEO of Acadia Road Builders and Acadia Construction. He was an honourary member of the Professional Engineers Association of N. S., Past President and Honourary life member of the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association, Vice President of the Canadian Construction Assoc. (N. S. Division), Past President of the Construction Curling Association, Past President of the Bridgewater Curling Club and Past Commodore and Honourary life member of the LaHave River Yacht Club. He was a director of the N. S. Lung Association for several years and a member of the Construction Council of Canada. He spearheaded and chaired the committee to publish “The History of Road Building in Nova Scotia”. He was chairman of the Bridgewater Olympic swimming pool organization to raise funds, build and operate the complex. An avid yachtsman and competitive sailor, he raced the offshore circuit as a long time member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. He took part in 17 Marblehead to Halifax Races; competed in two Southern Ocean Racing Circuit (SORC) and sailed the Newport to Bermuda race on four occasions. He also competed in the Block Island, N.Y. races and the Royal BVI Yacht Club Spring Regatta. Chester Race Week was the summer highlight; and his trophy shelves were soon filled over the years from this competition. He won the prestigious “Prince of Wales” cup twice with his yachts, “Spook” and “ Ocean Commotion”, for which he was best recognized. In earlier years, he sailed out of the Lunenburg Yacht Club on the yachts “Marita”, “White Eagle” and “Syce”. As a sailor, Arthur raced and cruised the Caribbean and was member of the Royal BVI Yacht Club His love of travel took him across Canada, and to the far corners of the world. He enjoyed hunting and shark fishing nearer to home or deep sea and bone fishing in warmer waters. Arthur was the author and publisher of The Yachting Guide to The Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia; the only detailed cruising guide widely distributed in the U. S. and Canada. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Mildred (Sterns) Dechman. He is survived by his wife, Marie (DuCharme); daughters, Dr. Gail Dechman, Halifax, Heather Dechman, Halifax, Sandy Gordon (Jurgen), Duncan’s Cove, Shirley Gordon, Dublin Shore, Glennie Gordon, Vogler’s Cove, step-children, David MacDonald, Bridgewater, Peter MacDonald, Fernie, B.C.; grandchildren, Chelsee Venedam, Maxwell MacDonald, Jim, Wendy and Joann Rofihe. Funeral will take place at the Bridgewater United Church Friday, August 2nd at 4 pm. No flowers by request. Donations to South Shore Regional Hospital Foundation, Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre or a charity of choice.