It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Art peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the age of 75. Art was born in Halifax the son of Dr. Andrew Stuart Cowie of St. Johns, New Brunswick and Elinor Roberta Cowie (nee Ferris) of Minneapolis, MN. Art was an amazing husband to his loving wife and soul mate Cathy. Art will also be forever remembered as a wonderful father and mentor to his daughter Lisa (Oliver) Young, daughter Sharon (Matt) Sauder, and step-daughter Corrie Okell. Art was a beloved grandfather, lovingly referred as “Pops”, to Madeline, Alexandra and Lucy Young, Theodore, William, Nicolaus and Charlotte Sauder and Courtney and Marcas Okell. Art will be also lovingly remembered by his sister Margaret Lumb, niece Susie Lumb, half sister Beth Templeton,  sister-in-law Sharon (Ken) Evans, sister-in-law Gina (Ed) Morrison and brother-in-law Bill (Marliene) Wales

Art served as a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy prior to obtaining a degree from the University of New Brunswick (1958) and Certificate in Landscape architecture from London England (1961). In 1961 Art was lucky to be included as Project Landscape Architect, amongst various other architects, designers, town planners and students of many disciplines from around the globe to work on the New Town Cumbernauld in Scotland. In 1962 Art was also hired as Project Landscape Architect to work on the new Capital Territory Town of Canberra, Australia before heading to Canada to achieve a Masters of Science and Community and Regional Planning degree from UBC (1968).
Upon arriving in Vancouver in 1966, Art quickly became involved in local politics, serving in all levels of Government. He served as Commissioner (1970-1972, 1988-1989) and Chair (1972-1974, 1990-1992) for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation; he served as a Councillor for the City of Vancouver (1975-1976). Art was the first Liberal member elected to the BC Legislature for Vancouver-Quilchena (1991-1993), of which he was very proud.

Art was President of Eikos Inc., a land-use planning company, which he founded in 1971. Art had many professional and corporate affiliations. He was Director of the P.N.E (1975-1976, 1990-1992). He was a member of the Canadian Institute of Planning, The Planning Institute of BC, member and Past President of the BC Society of Landscape Architects and Past Presidents of the Former MLA Association of BC.

He had many dear friends and associates who will miss his positive attitude, forward and creative thinking, and his endless energy to tackle whatever task was in front of him. Art was a mentor and inspiration to many young planners, architects, landscape architects, and designers.

Art traveled the world extensively, however always claimed that the City of Vancouver and the Province of BC were his favourite places in the world. Art and his wife Cathy spent many holidays exploring the coast of BC on their boat “At Last”, spending special time on both Bowen Island and Hardy Island.

Words can not express how much we will miss this wonderful man.

A Celebration of Life will be held at
St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale
2490 West 37th ave
Vancouver, BC
2 pm, Wednesday December 2, 2009

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to The ALS Society of Canada. www.als.ca/_donations/