Obituary of Arthur G Williams

Arthur G. Williams, Obituary Arthur G. Williams of Mt. Arlington, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center. Art was 86 years old, born on July 17, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Thomas and Anna (Bombard) Williams. Arthur will always be remembered for his gentleness and humor, creative and brilliant mind, compassion, and forgiving heart. Arthur lived a long and full life. He was raised by his parents in Somerville, Massachusetts with his older brother Thomas (deceased, 2020). Arthur graduated St. Bonaventure University, and was thrilled to have two of his children, Michael and Jennifer both attend his alma mater. Although Arthur attended seminary school for some time with the Franciscan Order, he felt called to marriage and family. He married his wife, Barbara Anne Murphy in 1960, and they went on to have 6 children and 15 grandchildren. During the early years of marriage, Art attended Boston College at night, working towards earning his MBA. Providing for his family was Art’s priority and he worked hard to provide a beautiful life for them. Despite moving his family to New Jersey at the age of 35, Arthur’s Boston roots ran deep. Countless Red Sox games and summers at the Cape were wonderful times for him and his children. Settling in Livingston, NJ, Arthur was an active member of St. Philomena’s Catholic Church and School. He enjoyed serving in several ministries, especially his time leading a home group in the church’s RENEW program, as well as spreading the understanding of Divine Mercy throughout many parishes in NJ. In addition, Arthur volunteered at St. Barnabas Hospital, bringing the Eucharist and sharing God’s Word. Arthur’s gentle manner always put patients’ minds at ease. Art Williams was a creative force and brilliantly minded man. He thrived as Executive Vice President of an international pharmaceutical market research firm, Market Measures Inc., from its inception in 1969. Market Measures’ employees loved Art for his leadership, creativity, and direction, but also for his humorous and generous spirit. (Arthur was known for giving his employees unlimited paid ‘personal time’. “Because,” he said, “sometimes you just need a day off.” Arthur liked to note that no one ever abused his honor system.) Arthur and his wife Barbara moved out of state for a number of years after Art retired from Market Measures. He enjoyed being a part of a wonderful ministry, Mission of Mercy, which provided free mobile medical services to the poor & uninsured in the Emmitsburg, MD area. Arthur and Barbara later came back to New Jersey to live near children and grandchildren. “Poppy” was often put on babysitting duty for many a grandchild, enduring countless hours of children’s PBS programs, and was always up for “carpool duty” when his older children were pulled in different directions. Poppy could always be counted on, even if some of the grandchildren were more ‘in charge’ of babysitting than he was. Arthur truly loved being around all the love (and chaos) of his children and grandchildren. Arthur’s children agree their dad was surely known for his compassion. He never spoke an unkind word about another, and was always quick to forgive. They also knew their dad loved the Lord, had great devotion to the Blessed Mother, and put great weight on teaching his children to grow in faith and forgiveness. Another of Arthur’s greatest gifts was his intellect. He was well-read and could discuss a multitude of topics, from philosophy and theology, to international events, government policies and world economics. But Art enjoyed many simple pleasures as well; he loved a sweet treat and was never one to turn down a candy bar with you (even if it did break a front tooth), or pass up an ice cream sundae with one of his grandchildren. Arthur lived a long, rich life, and certainly endured hardships of illness in his later years. He was loved dearly by his family. Despite the loss, his wife and children have a peace knowing Art is truly at rest with the Lord, and that the fun has only just begun for him. Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, and 5 children, Mary Ross and husband Donald Burns Jr., Suzanne Lehner and husband John, Carolyn Carrara and husband Glenn, Jennifer Kelly and husband John, and Elizabeth Goranson Seeger and husband Mike Seeger. Arthur also had 15 cherished grandchildren: Donald Ross III and wife Jane, Andrew Lehner and fiancé Christy Adler, Connor Lehner, Jackson Lehner, Elizabeth Carrara, Kate Carrara, Aiden Carrara, William Carrara, Matthew Carrara, Charlie Carrara, Emma Kelly, Avery Kelly, Brigid Kelly, Christian Goranson, and Grace Goranson. Arthur was pre-deceased by his son, Michael in 2010, Michael’s wife, Sheri, in 2014, and Elizabeth’s first husband Scott Goranson in 2021. Art’s children know their brother Michael was one of the first to greet their dad when he arrived in Heaven. (Being the only son in a family of 5 sisters, Michael and his dad had a special bond.) Arthur’s Life Celebration Services will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 9:00 am at Holy Family Parish Church, 12 Monument Square, Concord MA 01742 with burial to immediately follow at Saint Bernard's Cemetery in also in Concord MA. The church stream is live 24/7 so please just click on link below for the funeral mass. All funeral services are under the direction of and entrusted to the Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home of Landing, NJ. The Church’s Live Stream: https://c.themediacdn.com/embed/media/WSsdBB/Gr96yhQsma2/NZltHgsAbfq_5