Skip to content

Notable businessman and sportsman, Arnie Cline passes

'Arnold was known for his handsome smile and engaging personality. As a businessman and active member in North Bay, he was respected by many in the community. Everyone loved Arnie Cline'
ClineArnold2
Arnold ‘Arnie’ Russell Cline

Community builder Arnold ‘Arnie’ Russell Cline passed away at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the age of 89.

Cline was born May 25, 1932  in New Liskeard.

According to his obituary, in 1967, "Arnold became the proud founder of Thermo Coustics Ltd., which has been an integral part of the construction industry for over fifty years. As a 2002 inductee into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame, Arnold was recognized for his service to football as a quarterback, official, executive, and fundraiser for more than 40 years."

See the complete obituary here.

He was involved in many community groups, including memberships and holding various offices at Omond Memorial United Church, North Bay Golf and Country Club, The Kiwanis Club of North Bay, Associated Canadian Travelers, Nipissing Masonic Lodge No. 420, and Rameses Shrine Club.

Cline was husband for 68 years to Elva, whom he married at St. Andrew’s United Church in 1953. 

"Arnold was known for his handsome smile and engaging personality. As a businessman and active member in North Bay, he was respected by many in the community. Everyone loved "Arnie" Cline," says the obituary.

The North Bay Sports Hall of Fame describes Cline this way.

"Arnold Cline started playing football in Kirkland Lake at age 16 and before he was finished, had served the sport as player, official, executive and fundraiser for 40 some years, over 35 of them here in North Bay. He was in at the start of the Northern Ontario Rugby Football Union (NFC) in the early 1950s when he moved to North Bay and played with the Roughriders.

"In the mid-1950s, he became involved in officiating the sport at the high school level and in the early 1960s began doing NORFU matches as well. He attended a number of football clinics and continued to officiate until the early 1990s when he retired due to back problems, after better than 35 years wearing the striped sweater. Cline served on the Northern Football Conference Executive for a number of years, was League Secretary/ Treasurer in 1973, President in 1974, and Referee-in-Chief from 1971 through 1973. When the local NFC franchise ran into problems, Cline stepped in and served as president, treasurer, manager, trainer, and fundraiser at various times through 1980. His efforts were key to keeping the team alive and active.

"In 1974 Cline won the Ontario Amateur Football Association ‘Pigskin’ Award for services to the sport and the next year he became the third winner of the Mitchell/Avery Memorial Award for his work for football in this area."

A service will be held at Omond Memorial United Church on Friday, January 21 at 2 p.m.

Due to COVID restrictions, please confirm your attendance by phoning Omond Church at 705-472-2070 and leaving a message. Proof of vaccination will be required to attend the service. As well, wearing masks and social distancing are mandatory at the church.

Condolences may be offered online at www.martynfh.com.