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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 6, 2012 · 12 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Community gives thanks for a guardian angel reflection of all the love Arnold had given the students of St. Matthew over the years just by greeting them every day, asking about what was happening in their lives and then following up with care and concern. "As a community, we needed to come together and thank God for the gift of Jim Arnold," said Cascone-Brown. "Jim really was the guardian angel he has been described as. He went above and beyond and took the time to get to know everyone personally and you can see what that has meant to all of us." Cascone-Brown unveiled a memorial plaque to Arnold that will hang in the halls of the school. The message on the plaque thanks Arnold for keeping the students of St. Matthew safe and states he never forgot a name and he, in turn, will never be forgotten. An identical plaque was presented to Arnold's widow, Esther, who Cascone-Brown thanked for sharing her husband with the community. "I was really impressed with the turnout today," said Cascone-Brown after the service. "We saw so many of our past students come from high school. We saw their parents accompany them. Since Jim's passing, we've been overwhelmed by recognition in the community. We were always aware that he made a difference, but the outpouring of respect and the sense of loss was overwhelming and that's why we A smile, remembering a name and a kind word to those he helped cross the street may not seem like much, but it mattered to so many. This was clear yesterday (Tuesday) as hundreds of people packed St. Matthew Church to celebrate the life of beloved crossing guard Jim Arnold. Arnold, who for 20 years helped students of St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School cross the busy intersection of Nottinghill Gate and Monks Passage, died May 21 at age 88. The special mass was attended by St. Matthew students, past and present, as well as parents, faculty and other members of the community who came out to pay their respects to the man who was repeatedly referred to during the service as a guardian angel. During his address, Father Duy Nguyen called Arnold an amazing man who always had a smile, was very kind and friendly and would wave at Nguyen as he drove down the street. "Follow his example," said Nguyen. "Show a smile and kindness to everyone you meet." Those present also heard from St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School Principal Kelly Cascone-Brown, who pointed to Arnold as an example that no matter what your job, you can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Tuesday's outpouring, she said, was simply a NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER A GUARDIAN ANGEL: Principal Kelly Cascone-Brown holds the commemorative plaque and student Matthew Borcelli, 9, brings a stack of cards before the Remembrance Mass for Jim Arnold, a long-time crossing guard at St. Matthew School in Glen Abbey, at St. Matthew's Church on Tuesday morning. decided to have the mass today. Jim didn't have a memorial service as per his wishes, but as a community we needed to do something." Crossing guard was just one of several interesting jobs Arnold held over the course of his life serving as a firefighter in his native Scotland and then as a gold miner in Timmins, Ont., when he came to Canada in 1952. Arnold would also work as a truck driver for 34 years before retiring. During his time as a crossing guard at St. Matthew school, Arnold was credited with saving a 10-year-old boy from being run over by a distracted driver. The driver reportedly came so close salt stains were left on the boy's winter gloves. Arnold was also chosen as one of the recipients of the Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard Award in 2009. "Really, it is great talking to the kids and greeting them in the morning," Arnold said in a previous interview. "They've always got smiles on their faces and they are well-mannered. They are really good kids." Following the service, a line of students could be seen tearfully offering their condolences and hugging Esther. "I knew that he was loved, but I never thought..." said Esther, choking back tears. Esther said Arnold thought of the children of St. Matthew school as his own kids. KEVIN O'LEARY Internationally recognized investor and television personality, business TV cohost on The Lang & O'Leary Exchange; cast member on CBC's Dragon's Den and ABC's Shark Tank; and the host of the new reality series, Redemption Inc. 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