Arthur Hudock

Arthur ‘Pop’ Hudock died peacefully at Newton Memorial Hospital on March 10, 2022 after a brief illness. He was born on October 23, 1933 in Newark, NJ to George and Helen (nee Sedlak) Hudock, where he resided until moving to Lafayette in 1998.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Rose (nee Lantos) in 2019, and his brothers

John, Thomas, and Joseph and sister Frances Murphy. He is survived by his daughter Sara, his son George and his wife Dawn, 5 grandchildren, Gabriel and his wife Kerilyn, Kathryn, Stella, Ryan and Samantha, and 2 great grandchildren Olivia and Vincenzo. He also leaves behind a legion of beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Pop served in the US Army for 10 years, stationed at Ft. Bliss and Sandia Base where he was a missile specialist and sworn member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Oozlefinch. One of his favorite memories of his service was having the honor to cook a pheasant dinner for President Eisenhower, which of course won the president’s seal of approval. He entertained us often with his many tales of crazy adventures across the southwest with his fellow soldiers.

He enjoyed a long and successful 37 year career in law enforcement starting out as a patrolman with Newark PD before moving on to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, where he retired as a captain in 1996. Ever versatile in uniform, he performed almost every role in police work from patrol to courts to narcotics and more. He lead his officers with fairness, respect and a big heart. He was so proud to pass down his law enforcement wisdom and wit to 2 more generations of family after him.

Pop was an avid fisherman his whole life, never leaving home without a rod and tackle box on hand, just in case the walleye were biting. His favorite fishing spot was always Swartswood Lake, but his list of fishing holes was endless, spanning from the St Lawrence River in Ontario to Lake Marion in South Carolina. He was always ready to share photos of his latest catch and loved teaching his kids and grandkids the finer aspects of angling. He was also an award winning archer and archery instructor and enjoyed bow hunting with family and friends at his family cabin in New York state.

When he wasn’t off fishing or hunting, Pop could be found on his old Wheel Horse tractor cutting some grass, tending his ever growing vegetable garden, cheering the grandkids on at soccer and basketball or just out back designing a new and improved birdfeeder contraption sure to foil the bears and squirrels…this time.

Our beloved Pop left a long legacy of memories and love and will be so very missed by all of us.

As he wished, the family will be holding a private celebration of his life around a roaring bonfire

with some good steak and plenty of fish tales.