Arthur Herman Pess

Arthur lit up every room he entered and was loved and respected by all.

Arthur H. Pess, age 92, of Tamarac, Florida, died on 11/11/2023 with Gary, Janice and David by his side. He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1930 to Stella and Louis Pess, who raised him in Williamsburg with his older brother, Jerry and younger sister Zalie, both of whom predeceased him. They grew up in close proximity to his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who called him Ozzie. He attended Eastern District High School, a majestic Gothic building, also attended by Mel Brooks and Barry Manilow. He joined the Army and specialized in radar.

Arthur met the love of his life, Thelma (Hoffman) in High School in 1948. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in Brooklyn in 1951. They were happily married until Thelma passed, way too young, in 1990.

Arthur and Thelma started a family of their own, and moved to Canarsie, Brooklyn to raise their family. Gary (Lois) Pess came first, followed by Janice (David Shannon) Pess 4 years later. Summers were spent together at the Brook Sun and Swim Club in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Paddleball, volleyball, shuffleboard, ping pong, swimming and dancing were their favorite activities. Each summer also brought another weeklong family vacation, driving somewhere that could be reached in 6 hours or less. Thelma avoided flying as long as she could and they did not fly until ~1970. Artie also loved being with his huge family - parents, aunts, uncles, sister, brother, nieces and nephews sharing BBQs and Thanksgiving feasts on Long Island.

Artie’s favorite role was as a grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandkids and loved being their Pop Pop, never failing to share a giant hug. He is survived by his 5 grandchildren, Matthew (Lyndsay) Pess, Rebecca (Harold) Rizacos, Rachel (Michael) Gross, Megan (Jesse) Ross and Temmy Shannon. He also spent quality time with his 8 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Pess, Joshua Pess, Layla Gross, Bethany Gross, Henry Rizacos, Paige Rizacos, Ryder Ross and Rhett Ross.

He and his friends were practically inseparable throughout their lives. They called him Artie. Barbie and Lenny Cohen, Norman Rudolph, Charlotte Bernstein, Joyce and Mel Dickstein, Ruth and Bob Leiner and Cookie and Lenny Blattman. He was also beloved by his Wickshire friends, Bunny and Richard.

When his children were young, Arthur had 3 different jobs, including selling Fuller Brush door to door and selling donuts from a donut truck. He eventually joined Metropolitan Life Insurance Company starting as a salesperson and working his way up to District Manager and then the Home Office in NYC. He spent 10 years going to school studying and earned his CLU (College of Life Underwriters) certification. He was very proud to have his “graduate” degree.

Arthur will always be remembered for warm smile and ability to have a conversation with everyone he met. He was adored by his friends and his children’s friends, who felt that he treated them as if they were his child. He was a great mentor and inspiration for his two children.

May his memory be a blessing and live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

The funeral will be held on Sunday 11/19 at 1:30 PM at Bloomfield Cooper Funeral Home 2130 Route 35 Ocean Township, NJ 07712.

Interment to follow at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.

Shiva at Pess Home 13 Pal Drive Wayside, NJ on Sunday after the interment and after 1PM on Monday 11/20/23.

In lieu of flowers, donations to either The Gary Sinise Foundation ( https://www.garysinisefoundation.org ) or Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Monmouth County (https://www.jfcsmonmouth.org ) would be greatly appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bloomfieldcooperocean.com for the Pess family.