Arthur McKenzie Wightman

ARTHUR M. WIGHTMAN

AVOCA-Arthur McKenzie Wightman, age 77, passed away on Sunday (Dec. 14, 2014) at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan, surrounded by his loving family, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease complications.
He was born on July 17, 1937 in Bath the son of the late Henry A. Wightman and Orpha Cragg Wightman.
Art was married to Judith A. Martin on his birthday, July 17, 1965, at the Avoca United Methodist Church on S. Main St., Avoca, by Rev. Harold Knitter, in the church that burned in 1996.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister, Delsie Kathryn Wightman and sister and brother-in-law, Margelia and Carl Ostrander.
He attended Avoca Central School, and served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955 until 1959, where he learned the electrician trade. Art worked for Shear-Colburn Oldsmobile in Bath, Ingersoll-Rand in Painted Post, Ostrander Electric in Avoca , and for the Veterans Administration Center in Bath as a dedicated electrician for 28 years, where he received an outstanding service award. After retiring in 1993 he started his own electrical business as A.W. Electric and was eminently skilled in his work. During this time he enduringly assisted his wife in supplying the woodworking items for her to craft in their business Dome Crafts & Things.
Art will be remembered as a hard working man who was a true artist in constructing and remodeling beautiful homes and other structures. He never did any job the easy way, always by tearing down old buildings to get supplies which he crafted into outstanding projects. He was always there to do projects in the Village like installing lights in the gazebo park, building the Bus Accident Memorial, the street corner events display board, Historical Society display cases, an elaborately built gazebo for a neighbor, and many other things to add to Avoca’s beautification, memory and history.
A long-time active member of the Avoca United Methodist Church, he will be missed by his church family. He was a member of the Avoca American Legion, and a Trustee and past President of the Avoca Historical Society.
He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Judy of nearly 50 years; daughter, Marina Carol Wightman Davis of Avoca; a son, Kevin Arthur (Aimee) Wightman of Dansville; brother, Theodore H. (Marie) Wightman of Avoca; sister, Doris G. Calkins (Roger Bates) of Bath, former daughter-in-law, Letitia Morales Wightman; granddaughters, Holly (James) Hogan, Stephanie (Rob) Fitzwater, Jessica Davis, Krista Davis (Jennette Ingraham), Valerie (Mike Illiano) Wightman, and Brianna Wightman; great-granddaughters, Adeline Hogan and Gianna Wightman; step-grandchildren, Devin Zimmer, Taylor Mann and Mason Mann; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.
The Avoca Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Arthur McKenzie Wightman.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Avoca United Methodist Church, 8593 Jacobs Ladder Road, Avoca on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2014) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. where his funeral service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 1 p.m. Wednesday, with Rev. Barre Butts officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Valley View Cemetery, Avoca.
Memorials may be made in Art’s memory to the Avoca United Methodist Church, 8593 Jacobs Ladder Rd., Avoca, N.Y. 14809 or to the Avoca Historical Society, P.O. Box 185, Avoca, N.Y. 14809.