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INUVIK - Those closest to "Art" Carriere say there was only one passion that rivalled his love for mechanic work, and that was giving children a good start in life.

"He was as tough as nails, rough on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside," said Bob Hodgson, who knew Joseph Arthur Vernon Carriere through his marriage to the war veteran's niece. He travelled from Calgary to speak at Carriere's memorial service at the Anglican Church of the Ascension on Saturday. A reception at the Legion followed.

Joseph Arthur Vernon Carriere was remembered Saturday as a generous, talented mechanic who always had time for children. - photos courtesy of Chris Garven

Hodgson recalled Carriere's sense of humour, remembering the last time he visited Art in 1979, when Inuvik had started to grow due to the blossoming oil industry.

"He said, 'Inuvik is getting too big. I think I'll have to go to the Australian outback,'" said Hodgson. "That's Art for you."

Right up until his death on March 11 at the age of 79, Art was employed as a mechanic by Brian and Vince McCarthy. He was known as one of the best around as well as a legendary figure in the local coffee shop, especially the Eskimo Caribou Cafe.

Born into a small-town Quebec farming family of 12 in 1930, Art quickly established himself as the household handyman. His eulogy stated that at the age of nine or 10, Vernon, as he was called by family, built an extraordinary Christmas manger for his mom out of boughs, without the aid of tools or glue. He also loved making bird houses.

He spent 25 years in the Canadian Forces and fought in the Korean War, where he was wounded. In boot camp he was nicknamed "Vince the vulture" for his rough and tough character.

Seeking peace and freedom, he arrived in Inuvik after his retirement in 1968. He worked mostly as a mechanic from then on, running his own company for several years. Art also owned Delta Cabs from 1975 to 1980.

He had virtually raised his brother's five kids and while in Inuvik he befriended and provided for a local family.

"He provided for them, he helped raise them," said Hodgson. "He treated them as if they were his own, just because that was the type of guy he was."

Tristan Sydney,10, a second-generation child of the family, affectionately called him Daduck.

Carriere's former boss Gordon Campbell, 79, travelled from Yellowknife to attend the funeral. He said his friend and former employee had a casual, quiet way of helping anyone who needed help. The former owner of North Star Construction hired Art as a mechanic in the early 1980s and said you couldn't find anyone more reliable.

"You didn't have to worry. When he went to do something, it was done," he said.

And he had a great sense of humour to boot.

"I remember we were working in James Creek. He was cooking and asked me if I wanted fried eggs for breakfast. He broke the yolk by accident and said 'Scrambled eggs sounds like a good idea.'"