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Name: Arthur Caron Age: 57
Location (City, State/Province):
Type of Cancer: Cancerous Brain Tumour

On Sept. 13, 1915, Arthur Caron was born into a large family of eleven brothers and sisters in Fall River, Massachusetts. Being surrounded by so many in his family taught him that there was always more love to go around.

In the fall of 1941, Arthur volunteered to join the U.S. Army serving his country in WWII. He was stationed in Central Europe – Normandy, and Northern France – Rhineland. While serving he was decorated with the American Defence Service Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. Serving his country taught him the courage he would need to fight a more personal battle with his disease later in life.

My father’s battle with cancer started in late 1970, with the removal of a mole from his face. It turned out to be melanoma. As soon as we thought we had seen the last of the cancer, other problems were diagnosed such as the removal of a cancerous tumour in his kidney, followed by the brain tumour which took his life on August 9, 1972, at the age of 57. At the time of his death, he left behind his loving family – his wife, three daughters (ages 21,20,13) and two sons (ages 27,8).

Highlights: (Memorable moments, turning points, favourite memories)
I was Arthur’s youngest daughter. I have fond memories of him as a hard-working man, always working more than one job at a time to support his family. I remember him sharing our steaks with strangers at a barbecue once, when we barely mustered up enough money to buy them for ourselves.

Growing up in New York City, we all got introduced to baseball at an early age by one of his part-time jobs working at the stadiums. He liked the N.Y. Yankees, tipping his hat as a lady walked by, and saying good morning to strangers he passed on the street. He loved his brothers and sisters then living in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY, and spoke of them often. He was proud of his oldest son, who served time in the U.S. Navy, his youngest son who he lovingly named after the late president John F. Kennedy; and he coined affectionate pet names for all his daughters.

As a young girl, I remember feeling excited at seeing him walk down our street coming home from work. He sometimes had a small brown bag of penny candies tucked away in his suit jacket that he bought on his way home from the bus stop for us. He was usually dressed in a business suit, and even managed to appear tidy after a long hot ride on the N.Y. subway.

Lowlights: (Moments of courage, digging deep within)
During the time he was ill, my dad never complained although, at times, I knew he was in pain. I remember he always kept his faith and said his prayers in French. Being the conscientious provider he was, up to the week before his death, he was asking my mother how finances were at home.

My father never got to see his youngest son play baseball; never got to see any of his children marry, and never got to meet any of his grandchildren. His life was cut far too short by cancer, but by his life our family has learned many things. In the short time he was with us he showed us how to: love our families above all else, have the courage to face life’s challenges, serve our country, work hard, share what little we have with others, and hold onto our faith.