Arthur M. Falzer

For 23 years, C.J. Arthur's bar and restaurant in downtown Wilmette reflected the warmth and genuine friendliness of its co-owner, Art Falzer, who died Jan. 31 at age 65 after a year-long struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

"He and C.J.'s were in many ways an extension of each other," said Cindy Falzer, his wife of 39 years and also co-owner. "His greatest desire was to create and nurture an environment where everyone felt at home; where they felt safe, appreciated and loved; and where they had a good time."Art, a longtime Wilmette resident, worked as a manager at the Golden Bear, Jack-in-the-Box, Brigham's, Bakers Square and Ponderosa Steakhouse before opening C.J. Arthur's in 1989."Art always wanted to get to the point where he could own his own restaurant," said his brother Gary, who recalled how Art early on loved cooking for Gary's fraternity brothers in college. "He was very entrepreneurial and not afraid to work really hard."While many owners of newly purchased restaurants feel the urge to gut the place and start over, Art appreciated the beauty and history of the Depression-era soda fountain and woody decor and was determined to accentuate the folksy, neighborhood charm of the place."People just liked being there," Cindy said. "That's what Art wanted more than anything else. They came in, relaxed, had a beer, watched TV, heard some good music and left happy. Seven days a week, he helped make that happen."Art, who graduated from Senn High School in Rogers Park and DePaul University, was first and foremost a "people person," said Cindy. "Many of our customers became a part of his extended family. They felt his love and returned it in equal measure.""I always loved talking with Art," said Mike Swain, one of the regulars. "He made everyone feel comfortable."Art and Cindy's son Jason, who grew up working in CJ's, recalled his father as a man who "touched people.""I have about six friends who consider him their second father," said Jason, adding his dad was also a man "who accepted everyone for who they were. It didn't matter where you came from, or what you'd done, or what troubles you might have had, he was there for you."For a time, Art let a man who was down on his luck stay in the restaurant basement. He often gave others in difficult circumstances free meals. One customer had gone through bankruptcy and his wife had left him."Art gave him a job and helped him get back on his feet," Cindy said. "And many of our employees were here for decades, some almost as long as we were. They knew Art felt a loyalty toward them and they were loyal in return."As anyone who went to CJ's on karaoke nights knew, Art was also a romantic through and through. With a richly textured voice, he loved to croon soulful ballads like Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" or "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You."Shortly after Art's death, a number of family members gathered together for karaoke to share his songs.Jason Ferrari remembered Art as a man who "was always in a good mood.""He was an extremely social guy and a kind man," said Ferrari, 35, who had known Art since childhood. "The thing about him was that he always took the time to sit down and talk with you. He was always interested in finding out what was going on in people's lives."Art is survived by his wife, Cindy; a son, Jason; a brother, Gary; his mother, Frances Falzer; and a niece, Shannon Kao.Plans for a memorial service are pending.