BIOGRAPHY: From the Toronto Globe & Mail newspaper article of February 17, 2000, written by his daughter Goldie Semple
“Archie was a shy, demure boy from Nanaimo with heavenly blue eyes and kissable lips -that's how he really wanted his obituary to start. His mother, the wonderful Jenny Semple (née Gold), gave birth to the fourth of her six children in Mrs. McCrae's Nursing Home -the only one to be so privileged. A gentle Scottish lass, she raised her son in the ways of the Plymouth Closed Brethren (he strayed at around the age of 15). His father, Robert, was a painter and decorator.
Archie had a "Depression" childhood, not large on material goods but huge in friendship. One summer evening, his father looked out and counted 70 kids playing in the street. The Kennedy Street Gang of Nanaimo keeps in touch to this day.
Archie attended John Shaw Senior High but was forced to quit when the Second World War broke out. His brother, Robert Jr., was sent overseas, his two sisters were in the East and his father had just broken his leg and was unable to work.
Archie shouldered the responsibility of supporting his mother and two younger siblings. At 16, he became an apprentice at the Nanaimo Foundry and trained to become a patternmaker. He also washed Mrs. Wittingham's store windows and delivered circulars; he saved and spent and treated others to movies and ice cream. It was a pattern for his life.
Working long hours, several jobs at once and being a good provider for all in his circle. And he also managed to have a good time. He met the love of his life in October, 1949, a raven-haired, green-eyed nurse, Mary Plewes, was the wrong half of a double date, but she quickly switched partners and they were married eight months later. Their first child, David, was born in 1950; they had a swell apartment and life was great. They left town briefly for a wedding in Vernon, British Columbia and returned to find Archie fired from the foundry for his union activities.
There came a lean period with Archie selling cars and Mary nursing part-time to make ends meet. Finally, she suggested trying his luck in Vancouver. He was hired as a patternmaker at Vancouver Iron and Engineering Works and was soon offered a chance to train as an estimator. He then graduated to sales. Along the way, their daughter, Marigold was born and in 1955, they bought their first house and moved to Richmond, BC. In 1957, Archie made his final move to Murray-Latta Machine Co., and eventually became a partner. A tough boss, I think; indefatigable and honest.
Archie loved sports. Another passion was fishing and with that, boating. He said it was the one place he could unwind. He spent many happy hours fishing and sailing around the Gulf Islands, mainly aboard the S.N.A.F.U. II, a boat aptly named. It finally sank at its own moorings (all hands saved). Many cheered and dragged Archie, protesting, to England to visit their daughter. Archie then discovered foreign travel! From then on, no country on earth was safe: they visited China, Russia, Europe, the Mediterranean, Panama and Australia.
Retiring in 1993, Archie took contract work with Twin Pac. His volunteer work took a new direction and he worked to help restore the Britannia Shipyards and to establish the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Museum. His last trip and gift was to take his whole family to Scotland for a clan gathering of the Semples. He met his Laird, Jamie Semple, and planted a tree in the grotto of his ancestors.
Archie met his death as squarely as his life. He was prepared and took care of us all. He wanted no funeral but requested a party be held. And so it was -with pipers and stories and laughter and photos. And the food and drink and tears flowed.”