I first met Arnie when he started work at Social Services around 30 years ago. Because of his friendly nature we soon became firm friends, and he told me about the tragic death of his father.  

I   was always impressed by his ability to do his job and his  transparent  concern to help our clients, which led to him being very popular with them and also with his colleagues.

We invited him to accompany us on a group ski trip which he really enjoyed and so went skiing the next year but not with us but  with other friends from work.

Arnie was moved into work with blind people under our boss who was deaf and then decided that he should have a sign name (a nickname)  and so was signed as "the strong" after Arnold Schwarzenegger!

When Arnie retired I attended his leaving party which was led by the Director of social services who said that Arnie had received more letters of appreciation than any other members of the department, which says it all really. 

After I had retired I was replaced by a deaf lady  and he went out of his way to be as helpful to her as he was with me.

It pains me to write this tribute to such a dear friend, but I am comforted by the thought that so many people have benefited from his life as well as his family and Pauline, who has my great sympathy in the loss of her dear partner.

From Tony and Norma Bond.