Arthur Director

Arthur Director, 87, of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016. His last days were spent surrounded by the life, laughter and love of his children and all of his grandchildren. Arthur lived in the Cromwell/Middletown area with his wife of nearly 60 years, Edythe, who predeceased him, until moving to Florida. Arthur founded Connecticut Lighting Centers in Hartford, Connecticut in 1972, serving as President and CEO until 1994 and was then the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Over the past 50 years, Arthur has held numerous presidential leadership positions, serving as the president and CEO of three subsidiaries of Chevron Oil Company/Red Wing Oil Company, president of Greater Middletown Jaycees, B'Nai B'rith Lodge of Middletown, Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, Middlesex County Oil Dealers Association, Bristol Oil Dealers Association, and the American Lighting Association. Arthur has always been highly involved with his community. He was a member of the Governing Board and Investment Committee for the Northern Middlesex County YMCA, a corporator for both Middlesex Memorial Hospital and Rushford Substance Abuse Centers, a member of the Investment Committee for Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, a member of the Board of Directors for the Glens West Home Owners Association at Hunters Run in Boynton Beach, Florida and has been a Rotarian since 1959. Arthur has served on the boards of Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, the American Lighting Association, the Greater Middletown Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of Central Connecticut, the Greater Middletown United Way. He served as an elected member of the Board of Finance for the Town of Cromwell for 24 years. He was very involved in the Middletown Little League as the treasurer and assistant manager, as well as the Ahern Whalen Intermediate League where he also served as treasurer. Arthur helped found Connecticut's first chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and for 20 years was the Vice President of the Northern Middlesex County Big Brothers/Big Sisters chapter. Arthur has received several awards: the Herb and Sherry Clark Beacon of Philanthropy Award in 2015, the Big Brother/Big Sister Community Leadership Award in 2008, the Good Scout Award for Community Service in 2005 from the Connecticut River Council Boy Scouts of America, from the American Lighting Association he was inducted into the Lighting Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the 1986 Lighting Person of the Year Award, The Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, a four time Paul Harris Fellow Award winner from the Middletown Rotary Club and Rotary International, the 1989 Lion of Judah Award from the State of Israel Bonds Committee, Man of the Year in 1963 from the Middletown Jaycees, and from the State of Connecticut Jaycees, he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1963 and the Three Outstanding Young Men Award in 1962. Arthur will be sadly missed by his devoted children, David and his wife Carol of Cromwell, CT, and Judy Guzman of Wynnewood, PA.; five loving grandchildren, Jacob (Julia) Guzman, Rebecca Guzman (Adam Sanders), Todd (Grace) Director, Jenna Director, and Brett Director; and two great-grandchildren, Zara and Lena Guzman. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 29, at Congregation Adath Israel, Corner of Church and Broad Streets (8 Broad Street), Middletown, Connecticut, followed by interment at Adath Israel Cemetery (714 Pine Street, Middletown, Connecticut). Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur and Edythe Director Family Funds at Middlesex County Community Foundation, 211 South Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut 06457. Doolittle Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. For additional information and messages of condolence to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com