Arthur Meiselman

“Oh, did we have fun.”

At 96 years old our beloved Arthur Meiselman, son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to so many has passed away peacefully. Warm, gregarious, unflappable, quick witted, funny (voted class comedian Class of 1944), straightforward and honest, with a voice that would stop you in your tracks and clear blue eyes that he would bat at the mention of them.

Born in Williamsburg, he grew up in Borough Park, ran track at New Utrecht High School where he still holds the record for the 4 man 800 yard relay. He challenged anyone and everyone to dashes (“You run, I’ll hop”) and standing broad jumps.

Artie enlisted in the Navy at 17 and was a radio operator on the USS Bell Isle. Thought to be lost at sea his shipmates survived a typhoon in the Pacific. He stayed on after the war and travelled throughout the Pacific Ocean diffusing mines.

Proud to be a US WWII veteran, he kept two photos in his wallet from while he was stationed at Diamond Head. If you met him, you saw those photos. He first worked for his father-in-law in his home heating oil business, attended LIU and applied his BS degree to building a hosiery business. Artie was a born salesman and his track teammates convinced him to join their trophy business. He expanded his territory in NY to include the entire east coast down to Georgia. He was a leader in his industry and broke sales records year after year. Just as he brought friends and family in with his affable spirit, his customers became family and throughout his long and storied career he worked with the children and grandchildren of those original customers. Artie retired at 84 and moved to Florida.

Our patriarch, Artie loved his family fiercely. He was most proud of the family he raised with his wife of 49 years Joan (nee Kupferman) who died in 1999. Daughters Lesley Nebb (Irvin), Lucie Reisch (Jeffrey), and Cara Meiselman (Deborah). Grandchildren Whitney, Jonathan (Rachel), Marissa (Elliot), Barri, Jonah, Sam and great-grandchildren Leah and Jason. His wider family, including cousins, in-laws, Pat, Lisa, Gloria and just about every friend his kids brought home recognized and loved him for the joy and warmth he easily shared.

Artie was in some ways larger than life while tacitly taking care of what needed to be done. Possessed with an inner and physical strength he was as strong as a bull. Ushela as his parents called him lived his life and set an example for all of us. Be honest, don’t lie (“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter”), be nice (“it doesn’t cost anything to be nice”) treat people with respect, laugh (“Oh did we laugh and have a good time!”) simply put, ENJOY your life and be a good person. He was and will always be the embodiment of the Greatest Generation.

Rabbi Michael Gold is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: funeral Arthur Meiselman

Time: Jan 17, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8178065357

Meeting ID: 817 806 5357

Passcode: 261501