MAILMAN

Chief Warrant Officer DDM, CD2 (ret’d) RCN and CAF

Surrounded by loving family and treasured mementos from his military career, Arnie passed away at age 88, at Dartmouth General Hospital following a brief illness. He faced his death with the same honor, bravery, caring and bit of humour, that he displayed his entire life.

Born in Nineveh, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia on September 1, 1937, to the late Wilfred and Freda (Crouse) Mailman; he passed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Arnie grew up in Bridgewater, graduating from Bridgewater High School in 1957, and where he met Margaret Ann (nee Cleversey) who he married in 1958. Margaret Ann, Arnie’s wife of 67 years, survives him.

Arnie joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1958 and following basic training at HMCS Cornwallis, was stationed at CFB Shearwater. For the next seventeen years, when he was not stationed ashore serving Squadron Detachments, he was posted to HMCS Bonaventure, HMCS Preserver, and HMCS Protecteur.

A son, Kim and daughter, Cindy, completed the family. They grew up in their new family home in West LaHave until their Dad’s transfer in 1975 to Edmonton, Alberta. Having earned his jump wings, he joined the Parachute Maintenance Depot with the Airborne, CFB Griesbach.

The family moved back to Nova Scotia where Kim and Cindy pursued their education. Arnie served another five years  with Naval Air followed by a posting to CFB Chatham as Assistant Base Technical Services Officer in 1982.

A final posting in 1987 was to Ottawa to the Aircrew Chemical Defense Program, as Chief Warrant Officer. This completed Arnie’s 34 years’ service in all three elements of the Canadian Forces.

Chief Warrant Officer Mailman was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) with two clasps, as well as the Canadian Centennial Medal (CCM).

Upon retirement in 1993 Arnie and Margaret Ann returned to their province of Nova Scotia and to their family. They developed a piece of property on Birchtown Bay, Shelburne County, which provided a peaceful retirement of twenty-six years.

Arnie volunteered in the community, involving yachting events, and served as Commodore of the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club. He also served as Chairman of the Community Business Development Board for which he received a Volunteer of the Year award from the province.

During these retirement years, Arnie and Margaret Ann “travelled the world”. They were fortunate to have experienced – on land and by sea – numerous wonders on five continents from the Arctic to Antarctica.

The couple left Shelburne County in 2019 and moved to Halifax to again be close to family.

Arnie is survived by one son, Dr. Kim Mailman (Barb), and one daughter, Cindy Sutherland (Shane). He has three granddaughters, Michelle Mailman, Laura Mailman and Lacey MacKinnon, and one grandson, Craig Sutherland.

There will be no visitation. A private family remembrance will be held. Interment at the West LaHave Cemetery will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York Street, Bridgewater, where on-line condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.