Arthur grew up in the Bronx and Massapequa, Long Island, where he attended Plainedge High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from boot camp at MCRD Paris Island, South Carolina in 1961. After a tour on active duty at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce, and returned to Long Island to work for Pan American Airlines. In 1967, he joined the New York City Police Department where he worked undercover for many years with the elite Anti-Crime Unit, receiving many citations for bravery and dedication to duty. He attended night school and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice. Arthur retired from the NYPD in 1982 and started his own business in hot tubs, spas and pool service, which he and Joyce ran successfully for 18 years. Concurrently, Arthur continued to serve as a United States Marine Reservist, holding numerous billets of increasing responsibility and culminating as the Sergeant Major of 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines and then the 6th Communications Battalion. He was mobilized and deployed for Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He retired in 1997 with over 30 years of cumulative service. In 2000, he and Joyce relocated to Sarasota, Florida. After the attacks of 9/11, Arthur volunteered to serve as a Special Deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently joined the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Police where he served for 10 years, retiring in 2011.
Arthur was an active member of the 10/13 Club and the Blue Knight’s Motorcycle Riding Club. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, as well as riding his Harley Davidson.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, John (Christine), Carol-Ann (Paul), Kelly (Barry); and his grandchildren, Caleb, Christina, Bella, Gina, Evan and Samuel Arthur.
Services will be held at Palms-Robarts Funeral Home on June 19 at 10AM, followed by a ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery at 1:30pm.
