Arthur S Dahlstrand

was born in Stamford, CT on July 19, 1924 to immigrant Swedish parents, Svante and Gertrude, both of whom died at an early age. Art was warmly welcomed into the home of his foster parents Madeleine and Ervin Cooper of Old Greenwich, CT. He lived in their care and attended Wright Technical School until he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1943. He served in the Pacific Islands during WW II most notably on Iwo Jima. Upon his honorable discharge Art returned to CT and in 1946 married his high school sweetheart Martha Reilly (d. 1990). They built their own home in Darien, CT and raised two children, Nancy (Edward. Vitale) and Thomas (Karen McGrath). Art was a draftsman by trade and worked for 50+ years as a specialist in commercial heating and air conditioning.

Upon selling his home in Darien in 1994 Art moved to Arizona and in 1997 married his dear Julia Cota (d. 2009) and became the loving step father to Xina and Miguel Bernal (Trish). Art worked for his surviving foster brother Richard Cooper, owner of Tucson Country Day School, in various capacities for many years. In 2013 he sold his house in the foothills and moved to Splendido, a retirement community where he resided until his death this April.

Working in all mediums, Art was an accomplished artist from a very young age. His talent focused on photo realism. He was also a self taught engineer capable of tackling any project with incredible precision and accuracy. He was a “hands on” guy and shared his skills for countless people with their home improvements throughout his lifetime.

Art is survived by his children and step children as well as his grandchildren Jennifer, Michael (Alethia) and Katy (Joseph Jurgens) and his great grandchildren Zachary, Jack and Lily. He was predeceased by his siblings Rudolph, Ruth and Wallace, his foster brother Jack Cooper and Art’s companion Dona Banks. He leaves behind many devoted, loving friends including most notably Gary Mertens (Sempre Fi, a fellow Marine) and his wife Sharon of Tucson, AZ.

Art will be interred at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, Tucson, AZ. A small memorial celebration of life will be at a later date. Rest in peace dear Art. You will be sorely missed.