Arthur J. "Arty" Kurtz Jr.

Arthur J. "Arty" Kurtz, Jr., 65, of Warwick, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 21, 1960, Arty was the son of the late Herbert and Irene (Stern) Lambert. He was the devoted husband of Jeannine M. (Ozalan) Kurtz for 40 wonderfully memorable years filled with laughter, music, and more stories than one lifetime could hold.

He is survived by his loving family: his son, Arthur J. Kurtz III, and his wife, Erin, of Coventry, RI; his daughter, Andelaine Sloane, and her husband, Kyle, of Warwick, RI; as well as his sister Nancy Galvin and her husband John, and his sister Nina Halpin and her husband James. He was a proud grandfather to Sophia, Lola, Jacob, Guinevere, Lorelai, and Zackary, who brought endless joy to his life. He will also be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Arty had a knack for making life interesting. He had a kind heart and a gift for conversation, turning strangers into friends everywhere he went.

When he turned 18, he joined the U.S. Air Force, while patriotic, his motive may have been more to see the world. He found a love for England while stationed there and came home with stories, curiosity, and a lifelong sense of wonder.

In his thirties, Arty attended Johnson & Wales Culinary School, while he had a passion for cooking and baking, he didn't see a career in it, he instead enjoyed creating many memorable meals for his family and friends. He worked in several industries over the years but some of his greatest joy came from his time as head custodian at Norwood Elementary School.

Arty's defining passion throughout his life would always be an eclectic taste in both movies and music spanning across all genres.

He also had a drive for learning new skills throughout his life. Some of his interests and hobbies included painting, comic book art, sewing, British television, smoked and cured meats and collecting albums, lunchboxes and horror movie memorabilia among others.

He was a self-taught bass player and spent nearly a decade with 4Across, a Christian rock band, from 2004 to 2013. Arty was a proud masonic member of Harmony Lodge No. 9 F & A.M., Cranston, RI and was Past Master in 2005.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, October 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, with a Masonic Service at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Arty's memory may be made to the Rhode Island Brain and Spine Tumor Foundation, 118 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905 or online at https://ribstf.org/.