Arthur L. Foulke, Sr.

Obituary

Arthur Lawrence Foulke, Sr. was born on November 4, 1922 in Northport, NY to Albert Irvington Foulke, Sr. and Lottie Mae Foulke. He was the seventh child of ten children born to Albert Sr. and Lottie.

Arthur, was known to many as Artie, he graduated from Northport High School in 1943. Shortly after he graduated, he enlisted in the United States Army on July 15, 1943, in New York City during World War II. Artie achieved  the rank of Technical Sergeant of the 655th Ordinance Ammunition Company and spent time in France while serving in the Army. He received an honorable discharge from the Army and returned to Northport in 1946.

Artie played bas in the Arthur Foulke Orchestra with his brothers and other musicians. The band played at venues all around Long Island and New York City. Still playing with his band, Artie was learning the dry-cleaning business. He worked at Dutch Girl Cleaners out of Huntington alongside his brother James (Harold).

His brother Harold introduced him to Mary Ellen Terrell and soon after the two joined in matrimony on February 16, 1963. They had a dream to buy a home and at the recommendation of Artie’s brother Richard (Eddie), they settled in Amityville, New York. Here Artie and Mary Ellen began to build their life. They went to many dances, took many dances, took many trips and took part in a social club called “The Congenials”. After many years of marriage, God blessed them with their son, Arthur Jr. (Larry) in 1975.

Artie was truly devoted to his family and earned a living as a dry cleaner at Villa Cleaners in Deer Park and was very active in his son’s academics and after school activities. He retired from the dry-cleaning business at the age of 70. During his retirement Artie had the time to do some of the hobbies that he enjoyed; tinkering with his car, keeping his property immaculate and listening to jazz music. As the years went by he also took over the household duties as Mary Ellen started to experience some health issues. In 2014 at the age of 91, his son Larry and daughter-in-Law Brenda gave him his first grandchild, Harrison; followed by a second grandson, Nicholas in 2015.

In early 2018, Artie started to encounter some health issues which made him leave from his home of over 50 years in Amityville and stay with Larry and Brenda in Avon, Massachusetts. Here he would be a full time Pop-Pop to Harrison and Nicholas, contribute to the household chores and enjoy spending time with his family.

Arthur Lawrence Foulke, Sr. went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2018 on his own terms with his family by his side. Preceding him in death, his loving wife, Mary Ellen; his parents Albert and Lottie; his brothers, Albert Jr., Harold, Charlie and Eddie; his sisters, Lillian Bessie, Mildred Eleanor and Marjorie. Arthur leaves to mourn his loving son, Arthur, Jr.; daughter-in-Law, Brenda, Harrison and Nicholas; special nephews, Harold Jr. and Bobby; special nieces, Mary and Corrine; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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