Courtney Arthur

ARTHUR, Courtney Courtney Arthur, 93, of Farmington, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Monday (March 20, 2006). Born in 1913, in Streator, IL, Courtney obtained his Bachelor's degree and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Illinois at Champaign- Urbana. Courtney was married to Margaret Heberling in 1939. Margaret predeceased him in 1997, after 57 years of marriage. Courtney practiced law in Streator, IL for 20 years. During that period, he left his practice to serve in World War II with the United States Navy. Courtney served in the South Pacific on the Destroyer Escort James E. Craig. He dearly loved his service in the Navy and his service to his country. After 20 years of practicing law, Courtney took his family to Salem, OR, where he taught Law on the faculty of Willamette University for another 20 years. Courtney leaves his daughters, Kay Bassford of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Susan Martin and her husband Hugh, with whom he lived in Farmington. He also leaves his grandchildren, Jason Bassford and his wife Michelle from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Rachel Bassford of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Emily Martin of New York, NY and Olivia Martin of South Salem, NY. Courtney was a true Renaissance Man. He had a life-long love of music, having gone to Interlocken Academy in Michigan, and having a love of performance and chamber music along with his wife Margaret. Courtney was a fine musician, and arranger of music, a skilled wood turner, and a fine amateur photographer. At the age of 65, he and his wife retired to Vinalhaven Island off the coast of Maine, where he was the town bandleader and participated in several chamber music groups. In 1984, Courtney and his wife Margaret moved to Burlington, to be closer to his daughter Susan. In 1992, he and Margaret moved to Farmington, to his daughter Susan's home. His heart was in Vinalhaven, ME, and he was planning to be back there for the summer, as usual, to enjoy his beloved Island with his daughter Sue and son-in-law Hugh. He will be missed by his family. The sea and his family were great loves. There will be a memorial service for Courtney on Tuesday, Apr. 4 at 2 p.m. to celebrate his life, at the Flagg Road United Church of Christ, 134 Flagg Rd., West Hartford. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, should please be made to the Flagg Road United Church of Christ, 134 Flagg Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117, of to the Pleasant River Chapel, Vinalhaven, ME, 04863. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.