NORWICH – Arthur J. Titus, 82, life-long Norwich resident, passed away Friday evening, Jan. 2, 2009 at his home.
Born in Norwich in March of 1926, Art was the son of Volney and Esther Butts Titus. He attended the Norwich City Schools, after which he entered the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, Art held several different jobs in his younger years, working for the Kimball Glass Factory in New Jersey, the Kraft Cheese plant in Edmeston, the Lathrop Welding Shop in Sherburne, and Clyde Miller Moving. For a time he owned and operated the Tastee Freeze ice cream stand south of Norwich. He drove bus for the Norwich City School District for 15 years, and was the maintenance supervisor for all the schools for 23 years, then served in the maintenance department of Norwich Aero for 10 years. In March of 1972, Art joined the Norwich Fire Department’s Maydole Hose Company #2. He was an easy-going and likable guy who enjoyed going to McDonald’s for his morning coffee and any gossip. He was an avid John Deere man who loved the green and yellow and liked going around the countryside to garage sales and auctions when he would always go for the $.25 box. He and his wife, the former Virginia Parker Franklin, were married on Aug. 2, 2001.
Art is survived by his wife, Virginia Titus of Norwich; by his children and their spouses: Jeanne Frey and fiancé Peter Fuerst of Binghamton, Janet and Ralph Strafella of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Esther and Paul Nightengale of Vero Beach, Fla., Arthur J. and Sue Titus, Jr.. of Vero Beach, Beverly Jackson of Norwich, Dennis and Lorraine Franklin of Preston, Doris O’Brien of Mattydale, and Darian Franklin of Cayce, S.C. Art is also survived by his sisters: Jeanne Joslyn and husband Bill of Zephyrhills, Fla. and Carol Titus and Elinor Spaulding, both of Lodi; his brother, Graydon “Stub” Titus of Norwich; 18 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Art was predeceased by his sister, Hannah Goodwin; brothers Kenneth and Willard Titus, and grandsons Mark Canestra and James Strafella.
Funeral services for Art will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford of Norwich will officiate. Interment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. At 7 p.m., members of the Maydole Hose Company and the Norwich Fire Dept. will conduct a prayer service at the funeral home.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Maydole Hose Co. #2, c/o Patrick Ford, 11 Chirlin Dr., Norwich, NY 13815.