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"Praise God from whom all blessings flow
..Praise him and all his creatures here below.
..Praise him and grant that we
..May with our lives give thanks to thee."
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As a stepson of Arthur Ellison Sovereign, I have considerable awe for the physical and social legacy of the Ellison and Sovereign families in our community. I am very proud of my father, his life’s accomplishments and his family.
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It meant a great deal to my father that his ashes came to rest in the Ellison family plot, beside family members that were lifetime friends: Aunt Myra deBeck; Aunt Lil, Uncle Herbie, Uncle Vernon and Mable Ellison, Price and Sohpie Ellison.
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It means a great deal to me as well, because visiting him will always remind me of how important family and the greater family that is our community is and should be, in our lives.
How it is such a wonderful thing to be able to look back and see a life so well spent.
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Each of us who knew him have personal memories of my father.
For me, one overall image stands clear.
Of all the people in my life, my dad was the nicest person I have ever known.
And in the end, it's hard to think of anything nicer that can be said of anyone.
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Fred T. L. Wilson. March 24, 2002
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Arthur Ellison Sovereign
1924 - 2002
"Apple Pie without cheeze is like a kiss without a squeeze."
A little clip from the nicest person I have ever known.
- My Dad.
- Graduated from Medical School in 1954
- Became a Pediatric Specialist in 1963
- Freedom of the City of Vernon, July 4th 2000
- City of Vernon Most Valuable Person Award February 14th 1990
- Service Award, Learning Disabilities Association of British Columbia
- Honorary Membership, Learning Disabilities Association, Vernon Chapter June 2001
- North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society, Award of Recognition
- Royal Jubillee Hospital Woman's Auxiliary Award of Appreciation, 1981
- Dedicated Service Award, The Medical Clinic Associates 1993
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Rotarian "Paul Harris
Fellowship"
- British Columbia Year of the Child and Family Achievement Award: 1979
- Order of Canada Award, presented by the Lieutenant Governor of BC 2001
- Commemorative Medal for the 135th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. 1992
- Government of Canada, Certificate of Merit January 28th, 1988
- Royal Jubilee Hospital, 3rd floor, named the Dr. Arthur Ellison Sovereign Paediatric Wing
- North Okanagan Neurological Association (NONA) center named in his honour, Sept. 2006.
- Community Foundation of the North Okanagan:
- The Dr. Arthur E Sovereign Foundation for the Learning Disablities Association.
- Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation:
- The Art Sovereign Pediatric Endowment Fund (Pdf file download)
- http://rcpsc.medical.org/english/annals/vol35-6e/vig-memoriam_e.php3
- http://www.bcma.org/public/bc_medical_journal/back_issues/2002_author_index.asp
- Born in Vancouver BC in 1924 Married Agnes Wilson in 1957 and have five children
- Established the Association for the Mentally Handicapped
- Actively involved with the Okanagan Neurological Association since 1966 based in Kelowna and was Instrumental in the formation of and supporting the North Okanagan Neurological Association based in Vernon.
- Instrumental in the formation of the Association for Children with Learning Difficulties (ACCD) later the Learning Disabilities Association, served as President for a number of years.
- Established the Attention Deficits Disorders Association.
- Founding member of "My School" and president in 1958
- Served as a member of the Vernon Rotary Club since 1965. Vernon Rotary Club President 1977 - 78.
- Assisted in the formation of the Diabetic Day Care Centre at Vernon Jubillee Hospital.
- Member of the Coldstream Cub - Scout Group Committee, including Chairman. 1969 - 1972
- Professional Advisory Team to Mara House.
- Medical Advisor to the North Okanagan Theraputic Riding Association 1984 - 1986
- Chairperson of Medical Development for the Vernon Medical Association.
