Artie was born in a tenement in Jersey City on January twenty-third 1924. He was born premature and blue and the attending doctor said to his mother Florence,”this baby will not live to see tomorrow.” Artie’s mother, the very defiant Florence Haskins, told the doctor, “this baby is going to outlive you. History has long forgotten this doctor’s name but we believe with some certainty that Florence was correct. Artie lived in Fairview for over sixty years before moving to an assisted living in Emerson seven years ago. He was pre-deceased by his wife of forty-eight years Emma (Heiliman), his oldest son Jeff, and his sister Dorothy Durciansky. He is survived by his son Arthur Jr. and his wife Jennifer, his grandchildren Katie Haskins and Brian Sportelli, and his sister Virginia Sernack.
Artie was a true survivor, from his first day on earth, through three years in the Army during WWII (where he was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground combat), and through many other of life’s issues. Artie was a friend of Bill W, and spent most of his career in the Postal Service as a coordinator of their Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation program. He helped countless Postal employees over the years to save their careers and help them through their addiction problems.
Artie was quiet and modest man with a subtle wit. When on his latest birthday he was wished a happy birthday he asked, “how old am I now?” When he was informed that he was ninety-four he replied, “Wow!, that really snuck up on me!”
Family will receive friends at Becker’s Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, Monday 6-9 pm, with a graveside service Tuesday 11:00 am at Fairview Cemetery, 500 Fairview Avenue, Fairview. Artie was not particularly fond of flowers. In leiu of, do a random act of kindness.
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