Arnold Robert Hallgren (‘Arnie’) passed away peacefully on January 14, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia at the age of 86. Predeceased by his parents Lucille and Robert Hallgren and his brother Gerald Hallgren. He is survived by his wife Josiephine Lonzanida; four children Robert Hallgren, Lenne Jo Best (Eric Givens), Tim Hallgren (Susie), and Merle Crombie; daughter-in-law Clara Hallgren; five grandchildren Gabriel Crum (Angela), Whitney Lewis (Tyler), Joshua Hallgren, Tiffany Crook (Josh) and Tyler Best; five great grandchildren; and two nephews and a niece.
Arnie grew his love for baseball through a 10-year career in the minor leagues after signing with the Boston Braves in 1952 upon graduating from King Edward Highschool in Vancouver. His early career and love of sports had a great influence on his family. He was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
A celebration of life will be held in Vancouver at 11:00 am, Saturday January 25th at the Mountain View Cemetery Celebration Hall & Courtyard (5455 Fraser St. Vancouver, BC). There will also be a short service at the Drayton Valley Funeral Home at 12pm, January 27th, followed by his burial at the Buck Creek Cemetery near his family’s homestead where he developed his fondest childhood memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prostate Cancer Canada.