Arthur S. Bielefield
Posted on:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 - 1:30pm
Arthur Smith Bielefield, 79, Durham (formerly of Middletown) died on Tuesday, March 31, at home after a long illness. He was the son of the late Frances (Smith) Bielefield and Herman E. Bielefield and was the grandson of the late former mayor and postmaster of Middletown, Frederick J. Bielefield. Born in Middletown, he was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School where he was active in student government and played varsity football, basketball and ran track. In 1947, he was both the indoor and outdoor state champion in the mile run. He was the recipient of the Gold Key award from the Hartford Courant for excellence in art work in 1947. He attended the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut University. Art was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a hospital corpsman. He worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for over 28 years in experimental engineering, retiring in 1987.
Art and his family moved to Durham in 1960 and he soon became active in many Durham organizations including the local Boy Scout troop committee, the Durham Little League and Senior League as both a coach and umpire and coached recreational basketball for many years. He was a former member of the Durham Recreation Committee and was a former superintendent, director, judge and honorary member of the Durham Fair Association. Art was also a director and past president of the Durham Cemetery Co., a member and Vice President of the Durham 60+ Club, and the Durham-Middlefield AARP group. He was also a life member of the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. Art was an avid golfer and traveler and enjoyed gardening.
He leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Shirley (Wilson) Bielefield, his three children - his son David and his companion Emily Tyner of Saranac Lake, NY, his daughter Betsy of Middletown, and his son Charlie and his wife Debbie (Mason) of Meriden, and their two children Amanda and Andrew who were the love of Art’s life. He also leaves his two sisters, Barbara and her husband Earl Smallshaw of Middletown and Carolyn Bauer of Haddam and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his special cat, Lyric, who was always by his side.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main Street, Middlefield.
The family would like to thank Dr. Brad Wilkinson and Lisa, Ruth, Janice and others from Hospice for their special care during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Middlesex Hospice, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457 or the Middlefield Federated Church Capital Campaign Fund, 402 Main St., Middlefield, CT 06455.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown is handling the arrangements.
