(November 19, 1968 – January 21, 2021)
With broken hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Carlos Alberto Arruda at the Sault Area Hospital with the love of his life, Trish at his side. Beloved husband of Trish (LaFleur) Arruda for 24 years and much loved father of Jordan, Ryan, Cole and Ethan. Cherished son of Georgina and the late Jose Arruda and son in law of Jean and the late Kirk McLeod and the late Leroy LaFleur. Dear brother of Isabelle (Michael) Wheten and Sylvia Arruda. Brother in law of Greg (Nicole) LaFleur and Blair (Wendy) McLeod. Adored by his nephews Jeremy, Cody, the late Matthew, and Aaron Wheten and Sam and Charlie LaFleur. Carlos will be remembered by his aunts, uncles and cousins throughout Canada. Special “brother” of Phil Bumbaco and Michael Perlini and families. Much loved friend of Craig Holub and family and Serg Chiarello and family. Fun dad to his furry friend, Mylee Moo.
Carlos was born in Sault Ste. Marie, a community he grew to love so much. He was raised in a Portuguese household with his parents and sisters where he learned the culture and developed his love of family and God. Carlos developed his faith in God at Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he participated in the Youth Group. There, he was mentored by his dear friend Tony Martin and where he met the love of his life, Trish LaFleur. It was his deep faith in God that gave him the strength and courage to carry him through the last few days.
In his younger years, he attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and was considered a proud West End boy spending most of his days and nights at Perlini’s Confectionary. There, he played endless hours of hockey on the outdoor rink, played basketball and stick ball and built friendships and memories that he cherished until his last day. Carlos was a proud St. Mary’s Knight where he played football and continued to make lifelong friendships and memories. He was also a proud member of the Thursday Night Hockey League with the “brothers” from the West End.
Carlo went on to work with the Dumanski family at McClelland Dumanski, Dumanski Furniture and then Dumanski Office Interiors and Compass imaging. He remained a part of their team and family for over 30 years. Under the careful guidance of Gary Dumanski, Carlos developed many business relationships and advanced his business skills. He truly loved working with the public and cherished the wonderful business relationships and friendships he made over the years. He loved the Dumanskis as though they were his own family.
In 1996, Carlos married Trish and together they created a beautiful family with their four boys: Jordan, Ryan, Cole and Ethan. As a family, they travelled to many places in the US, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico and developed a love of camping, spending their summers at Pointe des Chene. It was at Pointe des Chene park that new friendships and memories were made. During the winter months, Carlos could be found playing mini sticks and helping them with their hockey skills in the driveway.
As his sons grew, Carlos became a well-known fixture at the hockey rinks and the football fields. He would spend hours working together with Isabelle and Mike on football programs and acquiring sponsorship for the Sault Minor Football League. While at Sault Area Hospital, Carlos was able to watch Sport Talk, where they discussed the upcoming Legacy Tournament in memory of his beloved nephew, Matthew Wheten who died tragically 3 months ago in a car accident. This is an event that would mean the world to Carlos and one he would surely want to be a part of. Carlos commented that night that he “loved this community”.
He was also a regular at the Memorial Gardens and at the Soo Greyhound games where he often missed the first period because he would stop to talk to every one he would meet from the parking lot to the arena. But even while watching a game, his friends say he was working. Carlos would look around the arena and say, “Oh, I have to go fix that sign”.
There are simply no words to describe how heartbroken and devastated we are at the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. But, we take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his dear father, nephew and father in law. We are so proud of Carlos and his accomplishments in this life and we will be forever grateful to him and to God for the strength, resilience and courage he demonstrated during this short but valiant battle.
The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the physicians and staff of the ICU at Health Sciences North including Drs. Demarchi, Kerr, Sauve, Paull, Patel, Tan, Button, Lapierre and nurses Laurie, Amanda, Jessica, Denise, Roxanne, Sandra, Kaylee and Bonnie for the outstanding care and your compassion during a difficult time. We would also like to thank the staff of Sault Area Hospital for making this transfer possible and to nurses Jenn, Stephanie and Carly for your care and compassion during this short stay. Thank you to Nick and Joe of ORNG Air Ambulance for keeping Carlo safe on his journey home. Thanks also to Drs. Piche, Macie, Hill and Reich for your care here in Sault Ste. Marie and to Drs. Parent and Solomon of the SAH Emergency Department for your care and professionalism.
To our dear friends Craig, Nicole and Tina Holub...we cannot begin to thank you for all that you have done for the members of the Arruda and Wheten families during the last few months. Your love, support and assistance is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.
Finally, to the community of Sault Ste. Marie...we are overwhelmed with your love, support and prayers for Carlos and our family. If love could have saved him, Carlos would live forever. Thank you.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4: 7
Friends are invited to view the service online starting at 1 pm on Monday, January 25, 2021 and can be viewed anytime up to 90 days. Go to www.funeraweb.tv and select Carlos' name to view the service. A celebration of Carlos' life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Carlos’ last request to see the boys finish school and to do well in life, we ask that donations be made to an education fund for Carlos’ four sons. Donations can be made to Melanie Ann Borowicz-Sibenik, Barrister & Solicitor in trust for Jordan, Ryan, Cole and Ethan Arruda. Donations can also be made online to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer at Sunnybrook Hospital at donate.sunnybrook.ca/gord.
Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Please visit Arthur Funeral Home website obituaries to leave memories and condolences as a keepsake for the family.