Arthur Charles Toncre

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Louise (Strawn) Toncre; sons Lance Toncre and Eric Toncre (Marnie) and daughters Nanette Edwards (Jerome) and Gwenna Williamson (Randy), as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in Ohio, Arthur served in the US Merchant Marines during WWII, shipping out shortly after his graduation from Mentor High School. Life for a 17 year old on “a big iron ship” touring the Pacific was a far cry from sailing a small boat on Lake Erie, but Art’s passion for being near the water and an interest in traveling the world were firmly established by his mid-20s.

After the war, Arthur obtained a degree in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico, and his long and varied work life included employers in New York, Utah, Venezuela, Michigan, Arizona, and Saudi Arabia. After an early retirement and move to Texas in 1984, Arthur continued to work as a consultant in the oil and gas industry. He and Louise also enjoyed 15 years in mid-coast Maine, before moving back to Texas in 2010.

Not content with seeing the world by merely sailing the seven seas, Art obtained his small plane pilot’s license and also a glider pilot rating in the 1970s. Antique cars were yet another hobby, and while living in Maine, Art had the fun of being a volunteer at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, in the company of fellow enthusiasts and tinkerers.

A brief service was held February 26 at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo. Should you wish to support an organization that Arthur loved, pleased consider the Owls Head Transportation Museum; (see owlshead.org for information.) Condolences may be offered at www.serenityfuneralhomelargo.com.