It is with deep sadness that the Bird Man of Creekside, Arthur Patrick Falardeau, one of Salt Spring Island’s beloved characters, passed away October 7th, 2023, well loved and peacefully at Greenwoods Long Term Care facility. Art was born in Kenora, Ontario, November 21, 1933.

Art and I (Raven Fox, formerly Nikki Menard), spent 23 years together since 2000. Art’s first wife, mother of their children, Shirley passed a few years back. He is survived by Sharlene Caux, previous partner, Sandy Johnson, also a previous partner, his children, Bud, Patty, Robyn, David and Bonnie as well as grand children and great grandchildren and soon to be born as great great granddaughter.

Art was a Renaissance man from the School of Life of which he was passionate about. Art was a storyteller extraordinaire mostly about his own life experiences. While in Kenora, Ontario, he was a homesteader where he raised his five children. He also raised milking cows, cattle, chickens, pigs and rabbits, dogs and cats in Kenora, Ontario. Art worked/played as a diamond driller in what he called his backyard “the north country” spanning several provinces. Art also worked at the paper mill in Kenora, Ontario.

Art moved to SaltSpring Island in 1986. Art was a ‘loose canon’ leader with the 4H club (for children) for 20 years here on Salt Spring Island, BC and in Kenora, Ontario. He volunteered with the Restorative Justice through Community Services. He worked at Camp Narnia for 15 years in Burgoyne Bay. There he looked after the farm animals, built the cabins and inspired the children with amazing cooperative games outside. He was known as the wizard.

Art was the bird man of Creekside with his 50+ birds: ducks, chickens, peacocks, emus, guinea fowl, turkeys. He participated with the Fall Fair and regaled the island with his emus, bantam roosters and goats. Who else would put his bantam rooster into his shirt and go to the grocery store with it. Art has made hundreds of emu feathered talisman which so many of you still have. He also was a great support to our neighbourhood and our community for which we are very grateful for.

Art was a hard worker, generous, kind, storyteller, fixer of mechanical things, and a true character. He was passionate about life and loved people and animals. Art loved to drum our big gathering drum and also on his hand drum. We often drummed together.

Celebration of life on Salt Spring, TBA. His ashes will be buried in Kenora, Ontario in the summer of 2024. His soul is now soaring and dancing in the heavens. Art is truly missed and his presence felt. I am so grateful for this man and the life we shared.