From the Yorktown Funeral Home:
Arthur C. Gottfried, of Somers, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 with his family by his side. He was 93.
Gottfried, who was born in the Bronx and had lived in Forest Hills and New Rochelle, was the son of Dr. John and Nettie Gottfried. He was predeceased by his sister Shirley Saphir and her husband Robert Saphir.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years Rita Sass Gottfried, his devoted sons Dr. Irving S. and Jeannine Squires Gottfried of Pittsburgh PA, Attorney Michael and Maureen Byrne Gottfried of North Andover MA, and CPA Richard and Stacey Freeman Gottfried of Rockville Maryland, and six loving grandchildren John Francis Byrne Gottfried, Alexander Byrne Gottfried, Daniel Ross Gottfried, Samuel Arthur Sass Gottfried, Sydney Jean Calder Gottfried, and James Ryan Baker Gottfried. He leaves several dear nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
Dr. Gottfried graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx NY, City College of New York, and New York University School of Dentistry. He was a proud veteran of World War II, and achieved the rank of Captain in the US Army, where he served as a dentist in a front line MASH unit in Korea.
He received a full dress parade upon his honorable discharge from the US Army. He practiced dentistry in New York City on 35th Street across from Macy’s Department Store for 40 years. He was also a consulting dentist for the New York Times.
Dr. Gottfried was a Cubmaster and Committee Chairman for 18 years in New Rochelle, New York for the Boy Scouts of America, and was extremely proud that his three sons and three of his grandsons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of Temple Israel in New Rochelle for 60 years and long time Hadassah Associate.
With his wife, he was a passionate devotee of Broadway shows, especially his favorite “Man of LaMancha” which imparted that anyone can dream their impossible dream. He travelled extensively to numerous countries and at least 25 Elder Hostels. A special legacy that he leaves his grandchildren is “never stop learning”, and he “always wanted to see what was on the other side of the mountain”.
Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to Heritage Hills in Somers, New York, where he was active on the Health Committee, the Theatre Guild (where in Shakespearean tradition, he once played a woman), and the Moshe Rosen Shalom Club at which he delivered several educational lectures, including one especially appreciated forum on “Harry Potter”.
He was an officer in the Somers Chapter of the Jewish War Veterans, and an election officer for the town of Somers.
He will be dearly missed by his family and wide circle of beloved friends. A celebration of his life will take place on Veterans Day, Monday Nov. 11 at 1:30 pm at the Yorktown Funeral Home, 945 East Main Street, Shrub Oak, New York. Burial will be private.
The family will receive visitors at his wife’s home on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday November 12-Nov. 14 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Tamar Hadassah of Somers NY or the charity of one’s choice.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
