Arthur Lawrence Verdecchia, Sr.
September 28, 1927 - July 06, 2014
Obituary
Verdecchia, Arthur L. “Art”
SUN PRAIRIE-Arthur Lawrence “Art” Verdecchia, born on Sept. 28, 1927, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, with family members by his side during his final days of his illness. Art was born in Erie, Pa., where he lived half of his life before moving to Wisconsin in 1970. While living in Erie, he met Helen Lukens and they were married Sept, 24, 1949. Art’s career was with General Telephone Co. where he started as a janitor, then gradually, working his way up the ladder, became an installer-repairman, then moved into management, eventually becoming state service director. During his management years, he was also transferred and assigned to management posts in Indiana and Illinois. Art moved back to Wisconsin in 1990, and he retired from the phone company a short time afterwards. All this was impressive considering Art never finished high school. He was a true role model who believed in working hard to support and provide for his family. Art also served his country in time of war, in the U.S. Navy, during World War II and the Korean War. He was a person who was a giver, not a taker. Art truly loved his family, his wife, Helen, who passed away in 2002; his three sons; and his three grandchildren. He had a generous heart and gave to several charities. During his retirement years, he was especially fond of collecting model cars as an investment and eventually accumulated enough of them to fill at least several shelves. During the final seven years of his life, Art was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, which eventually brought him into the care of the staff at Sebring Assisted Care and Memory Care in Coventry Village Retirement Community. Art’s family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Sebring and also Agrace HospiceCare for their dedication to giving their dad the best care possible during this final phase of his life. Art is survived by his three sons, Arthur Jr. of Franklin, Thomas of Asheville, N.C. and Samuel (Debbie) of Poynette; three grandchildren, Jacob, Luke and Amber; and his sister, Linda Gabutti of Erie, Pa., and her children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and his brother, Armand. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, in accordance with the wishes of Art, donations should be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
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Memories
JF
Jeff Flint
Other •
My only regret was that I never got to meet you. I'm a great friend of Tom's and I think I learned a lot from the stories that Tom shared with me. So sorry for your loss. But do remember the great times you shared with him. You really did a great job raising Tom Verdecchia and I'm so pleased of the man you were.
Love Jeff. Melissa. Lilianna Flint
GF
Greg Foster
Other •
Tom and Sam,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. Please know how very sorry I am.
Greg Foster
TK
Teresa Kim
Other •
I grew outside of Sun Prairie, across the street from the Verdecchia family. What a kind man Mr. Verdecchia was. He always had time to talk to a child, often imparting some little moral lesson, when he did. I spent hours of my childhood "helping" him with yard work, listening to him talk about his boys who were mostly grown by then, and he listened to the stories of a six year old with incredible patience. When I was a teenager in Connecticut, I received a letter of encouragement from him that meant a lot to me. He continued to care for even those peripheral friends in his life as long as he could. You will be missed, Mr Verdecchia. - Teresa Kramer Kim
TS
Tom Sepic
Other •
To Art's Family;
You most likely do not know me, as I was one of the many GTE employees to work with your Dad,
over the many years he worked for GTE. However; I want to thank you for sharing him with us over all those years. He was a good man, that I'm sure you are very proud of for good reason. May the Good Lord help you to continue to live with all the great memories.
Tom Sepic
TD
Tom Docherty
Other •
Art was a Great, Great Telephone Man and an even better person. It was a pleasure and an honor to have worked with him. Tom Docherty
BP
Bob Polak
Other •
It was a privilege to work with Art in Erie. A stand up guy who was a professional and dependable worker. He will be missed by family and friends. Regards to the family. A well written obituary regarding a life well lived.
Bob Polak