1957 – 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Art McCloskey after many years of declining health, on Sunday May 31, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Montreal on July 12, 1957 to the late Helen (Tedford) and Ernest McCloskey, the family moved to Fredericton where he did his high school years. After working in London Ontario, he moved to Halifax where he met the love of his life, Claudia (Byron), and they spent 48 years together.
Art loved music, he played guitar and sang and enjoyed listening to new artists. His daughters, son in law and their friends got a charge out of his collection of records, everything from Handel’s Messiah, The Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, Jethro Tull, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Big Sugar, Dead South and Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, to name a few. In his last days when he was unable to see, he found great joy in listening.
Summers at the cottage were a pleasure for him, enjoying the coming and going of many visitors and watching the Blue Jays games on tv. He was constantly saying, ‘what a great day this is’. Art embraced his second chance at life after surviving a critical illness in 2005. He was a man of strong and quiet faith.
Left to mourn his loss are his wife Claudia, devoted daughter Bridget and son-in-law Tim De Grace, devoted daughter Jessica, sister Carol and her husband Donald Fortin, brother Paul and his wife Valerie.
He was blessed with many dear nieces, nephews and friends, especially decades old buddy Brent Slaven whose weekly calls from Ontario were wonderful for catching up and enjoying a laugh.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by brothers Ted and Kelly, mother and father-in-law Valerie and Emmett Byron and brother-in-law, Larry Byron.
Visitation at Fergusons Riverview Funeral Centre on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church, Botsford St. Moncton, on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11:00 am, with a reception in the church hall following the service. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery at a later date.
Special thanks to Dr. Heidi James, Krista, Dr. Lisa Searle and Chris from Palliative Care, Dr. Kathy Ferguson, Sophie and Ruth at CNIB, Extra Mural staff at Blanche Bourgeois Unit, all for their compassionate care recently and over the years. Sunny Brae friends and neighbours both old and new provided comfort and joy to Art and the family.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fergusons Riverview Funeral Centre & Fergusons Crematorium, 214 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview, NB, E1B 1V6 (506 857 9544).
For those wishing to make a memorial donation, please choose a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made via www.fergusonsriverview.com.
Until we meet again BCD.
