Wilfrid Arlin Peterson

Wilfrid Arlin Peterson was born February 24, 1932, in Wadena, Saskatchewan, eldest to Lily and Wilfrid. The family moved several times, eventually landing in Alix, where Arlin attended high school. His creativity and building skills showed up early, when he fashioned his own pair of wooden skis only to have them break on their first run down the hill. This was one of the saddest stories he ever told!

Arlin was considered too skinny to join the Army, despite efforts to fatten himself up with steaks and milkshakes at the restaurant where he worked after leaving home. He took a job working for BA (later to become Gulf) in the 1950’s, working in early seismic exploration of oil and gas development in Canada.

Arlin and Mary-Jean met during high school in Alix, where Arlin wrote the local gossip column (incognito) for the town paper. They married in 1958 and then moved 26 times with early seismic crews, ultimately settling in Big Valley in 1963 to provide stability and predictability for their family. Their roots in that community stand today, including the community hall that Arlin helped build. Arlin helped bring the theatre, music, performance and entertainment he loved to the communities he lived in throughout his life. On Friday nights, Arlin and Rudy Storeck could be found running the latest film in the community hall. Arlin or Rudy picked up the film from the bus at the Morrin corner on the highway, and with a 50-cent entry fee, the community members enjoyed their movie, a bottle of pop and a bag of popcorn. One of his passion projects was filming a 16mm movie about the Big Valley Raft Race, narrated by his friend and neighbour Red Grover.

In 1979, the family moved to Stettler, settling into the home where Arlin lived until 2021. He turned a much-loved hobby into a second career when he embarked on a career in professional photography after 36 years with Gulf Canada. He was recognized with several awards for his work. He was incredibly proud of his photography and loved sharing it with family, friends, and the community. His cherished partner Gordon was his assistant and business partner. They eventually married and embarked on 30 happy years of travel and life together. They enjoyed theatre, clowning, and singing. They were happiest aboard a Royal Caribbean vessel exploring the world, donning their many matching tuxedos (most of which Arlin designed and sewed himself). To the end their daily outfits usually matched, to the delight of many and confusion of some.

Theirs was a commitment and genuine love that was truly special. They experienced real pride in their lives as their love for each other grew, deepened, and withstood many challenges. There was rarely a moment where they were not holding each other’s hands. Both of their families supported them and went to great lengths to ensure that they remained together, holding hands to the end of Arlin’s life.

Throughout his life, Arlin enjoyed photography, making art, camping and the outdoors, theatre, and travelling. He enjoyed gardening, cooking and preserving the fruits and vegetables he grew. He had a particular love for growing things and had beautiful roses, orchids and citrus trees in his atrium in Stettler. He could build, fix, or create absolutely anything and had a special creative and mechanical ability that lives on in the generations following him, particularly in his son Graham and great-grandson Brandtly. He was often a key member of groups of people who sought to bring music and entertainment to others. He enjoyed music of every kind and was one of the founding members and creators of the Treble Makers, the Stettler Gilbert and Sullivan Chorus, and The Happy Gang in Stettler. He and Gordon regularly sang in the community and in seniors’ care facilities. His granddaughters fondly remember him singing throughout their childhoods, remembering especially him singing “I Believe in Music”. He was one of the early supporters of the Stettler Performing Arts Centre and volunteered with the group that raised funds to have it built. He was passionate throughout his life working to bring performance arts to his communities, including the Stettler and District Overture Concert Association.

In their later years, Arlin and Gordon moved from Stettler to Calgary, where they were closer to Arlin’s daughter and his cherished sister Bonnie, who injected a much-needed dose of humour into their lives. They had many happy family gatherings during that time and celebrated holidays, birthdays, weddings, babies, anniversaries, and many community events, including stampede breakfasts and Pride. A particular favourite was going out for smash burgers and chocolate milkshakes. For the last year and a half of Arlin’s life, they lived in Edmonton, closer to Gordon’s daughters, who cared for them, appreciated having them close by, and shared their lives with them. Arlin and Gordon took particular delight in getting to spend time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and their room was full of smiles and laughter when little visitors came by.

Arlin passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2026, at the age of 94, and was predeceased by his parents and his brother Elden. He is survived by his loving husband Gordon O’Hara, his brother Bill, and his sister Bonnie. He is also survived by his descendants: children Graham (Robbie), Wendy (Murray), grandchildren Whittney (Ryan), Lindy (Zachary), Allison (Zach), and Leah (Nigel), and his great-grandchildren Dean, Brandtly and Avery. Arlin is also survived by Gordon’s daughters Leslie (Art), Deborah (Lance), and Kelly (Lonnie), and their families.

Friends and family are most welcome to an informal lunch and celebration of Arlin’s life to be held in the Edmonton area, Saturday, August 15, at noon, at a location TBA. Please reach out to Wendy at morrell4935@gmail.com to receive further details.

If it is desired, and in lieu of floral tributes, it was Arlin’s wish that any tributes made would be to Wm. E. Hay, 5011-50 Ave, Stettler, T0C 2L2 for the Performing Arts Centre.