Hudson, Arnold Samuel – of Kingston, Kings Co., / Gulf Shore. It is with much sadness that we announce the death of Arnold Samuel Hudson on May 29, 2023. Arnie died at home peacefully with his family by his side after his diagnosis of bone cancer in April 2022. Born July 30,1949 in Port Glasgow, Scotland he was the youngest child of the late Mary and Hugh Hudson.

As a young boy, Arnie's first job was paper boy. He enjoyed Boys Brigade, Newark Rowing Club and achieved The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presented to him at Edinburgh Castle by Prince Philip. Growing up on the River Clyde, he followed his Grandfather and Father apprenticing at the shipyard after high school with J G Kincaid Engine Builders in Greenock. He went to sea at age 21 as a marine engineer with the Merchant Navy. He travelled the world, sailing first with Sugarline of London England and then with Kristian Jebsen of Norway.

Little did he know his three-day stop in Saint John, N.B. in January 1973 would be life changing. There he met Joann, and they planned a three-week visit that July to the Annapolis Valley. They married that December and Joann joined him on his next voyage, spending four months at sea. After his first visit to the Valley, Arnie never wanted to live anywhere else, saying that it was the best place in the world.

His first job in Canada was with the Coast Guard and then as draftsman with the Halifax Shipyard. He then worked seven years with CN Marine on the Bar Harbor/Portland run in Yarmouth, achieving his Chief Engineer's certificate at age 29. He later worked on oil rigs with Bow Valley, Sedco and Nordic Canadian Shipping, off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the North Sea. His last 13 years before retiring were with Marine Atlantic, sailing from North Sydney to Newfoundland.

Arnie always said he worked with the best crew, and many have stayed in touch with him since retirement and during his illness, which has meant so much. He would tell you his most fulfilling title was Husband, Father, Poppy, and he was the best. With his patient loving hands, Poppy could fix almost anything...Santa even called on him for extra help these past 10 years! Arnie loved to sing and was self-taught on the fiddle. He loved to see his six grandchildren perform and sing – they were his constant joy.

Predeceased by his parents and sisters, Jean (in infancy) and Amy. Survived by his wife Joann, children Kyle (Monique), Janice (Stéphane) and Colin; beloved grandchildren Claudia, Hayden, Elias, Eloise, Regina, and Ethan; siblings May, Hugh and Bill, and loving extended family in Scotland and Ireland.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Team Annapolis Valley, Drs. Lori Burgess and Karen Burch, RN Janet Welton and Annapolis Valley VON caregivers for their support and kindness, and family and friends for their love and support. We would also like to thank Sarah McInnis from "The Legacy Song Project" for honouring Arnie's life story in a beautiful song: https://sarahmcinnis.com/in-loving-memory-of-arnie-hudson

Arnie has made the selfless decision to donate his body to Dalhousie Human Body Program for Research. Donations in his memory can be made to Carey Me Fund: https://www.vrhfoundation.ca/carey-me/ , supporting palliative care in the home c/o Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, Annapolis Valley Palliative Care or Annapolis Valley Victorian Order of Nurses https://von.ca/en/locations/annapolis-valley . A gathering for family will take place at a later date. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com