Born in Regina, Sask. on Nov. 30, 1921, Arnold T. Hepton (“Hep”) passed away on Friday, July 24, 2015 at Cowichan District Hospital with his wife Jill by his side. Hep is predeceased by his first wife Phyllis (Conn) and his son William. He is survived by his daughter “Deide” (Bill); his grandson “JB” (Jennie); Jill's sons Michael (Ellen & Sebastian) and Christopher (Michelle & Ryder). Hep will be very much missed.
Educated in Langenburg, Sask. and later at St. John’s College, Winnipeg, Man., Hep joined the RCN as a signalman on the Noranda for convoy duty on the North Atlantic run. When the need for fighter pilots became dire, Hep took his flying training at RCAF Goderich and RCAF Aylmer, Ont. He was loaned to the British Navy as part of its Fleet Air Arm. With Squadron 896, he was aboard HMS Phoenix (Bitter Lakes, Egypt), HMS Assagai (Durban, S.A.), HMS Malagas (Cape Town for rocket training), HMS Empress (Hellcat Squadron 896), HMS Emperor, HMS Ameer, HMS Tambaram and the HMS Kaluga (Cochin). Hep flew the following service aircraft during the war: Tiger Moth, Harvard, Miles Master, Wildcat IV & V, and the Hellcat I & II. At the end of WWII, Hep and his wife Phyllis moved to Vancouver in 1947 where they raised their 2 children while Hep worked in the printing and graphics business.
He married Jill in 1986, retired in 1992, and moved to Duncan, Vancouver Island in 1993. Hep was very involved in the Vancouver Rotary Club as well as the Rotary Club of Duncan, and the Royal Naval Association. A “wake” will be announced at a later date.
The family request no cards or flowers. Please use that money to donate to your favourite charity, the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation or the BCSPCA.