Arthur was born on February 3, 1926 in Queens, New York to Arthur and Elizabeth. Arthur grew up in New York City and enlisted in the US Army in 1941 at the age of 15. He served the US Army in North Africa until his discharge two years later in 1943. He then enlisted in the US Navy where he served in the Pacific Campaign until the end of World War II. In 1945 Arthur again served in the US Navy in Korea. On June 4, 1949, Arthur and Madeline were wed.
After his military service, Arthur became a New York City Firefighter where he was assigned to Engine Company 84/Ladder 34 in Washington Heights, New York until 1970.
After retiring from the FDNY, Arthur and Madeline retired to North Lauderdale, Florida.
Arthur is survived by his wife of 69 years, Madeline (Wagner) Aikey, daughter Kathleen (Aikey) Hayes, son-in-law Kevin Hayes, son Ronald Aikey and his wife Karen (Griffith), grandson Kevin Hayes and his wife Emily (Lambert) Hayes, and his two great-granddaughters Ashley Catherine Hayes and Alyssa Grace Hayes.