In Memory of Arthur Asfar

Arthur Asfar, 91 of Ridgefield, died peacefully on July 24, 2010.  Arthur was born in 
Summit, NJ on December 12, 1918.  He lived in Brooklyn, NY for many years before 
settling to Ridgefield, NJ in 1964.

He served honorably and proudly in the US Army Air Corps, 317^th Fighter Control Squadron in North Africa and China as a radio and electronic technician in the China-Burma-India theater.  He was honorably discharged in 1946.   Shortly after returning he married his beloved wife Mary (deceased 1999) in June, 1946.  They celebrated their 50^th anniversary 
in 1996 at a party attended by over 100 of their closest family and friends.

While in the Army he attended radio school and achieved the rank of Sergeant.  As a young man, Arthur lived in Connecticut for a few years and worked for Vought Aircraft Company.  He was present when Igor Sikorsky, founder of the Sikorsky helicopter corporation, successfully piloted the first helicopter. 

As a young man he opened Park Hobby Center in Brooklyn and also began Acme Model Engineering Company.  He developed Acme into the largest producer of battery holders in 
the world, inventing and manufacturing thousands of products used in the hobby and 
electronic industries.

Arthur was a devoted member of the Assyrian Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary serving as 
a member of the Board of Trustees, as Treasurer, and as Board President.  He and his wife Mary were instrumental in the construction of the new church in Paramus in 1967.  They 
were also a driving force in the Assyrian Orphanage and School Association where Arthur served as its president for approximately 30 years.

Arthur and Mary were also active members of the Senior Citizens of Ridgefield for more 
than 30 years.  They made many new friends there and Arthur served as VP in charge of Entertainment and coordinated and planned numerous parties and activities for the seniors during that time.  For several years in the 1990s he delivered lunches to homebound seniors 
for the Meals on Wheels program.

Arthur is survived by his three children Sandra Caputo, Linda Heffernan and her husband 
John, and Thomas and his wife Donna.  He is also survived by three grandsons, Matthew, Alexander and Nicholas.

Friends and family may visit at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Ave, Ridgefield NJ on Monday July 26 from 7 to 9 pm, and Tuesday July 27 from 2 to 4 pm and 7-9 pm.  Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday July 28 at 10am, at the Assyrian Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ.

Donations can be sent to the Assyrian Orphanage & School Association, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ 07652.