Obituary of John D. MacArthur

John D. MacArthur, age 100 of Lewiston and Youngstown, died Friday May 16, 2014 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, after a brief illness. For the last eight years, he was lovingly cared for by his daughter and her family in the home they shared. John was born July 16, 1913 in Somerville, MA, the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Dallas) MacArthur. His family moved to Youngstown in the mid 1920's and he graduated from the Youngstown Red Brick School in 1932. He received his Bachelors Degree in English Literature from the University of Rochester where he was a member of Theta Chi national fraternity. John was a U.S. Army Veteran of WW II, serving from August of 1941 to his honorable discharge in December of 1945. He served in the Pacific Theater with the 125th Signal SV Company as an Intercept Operator and saw duty on New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star, the American Defense Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal. John worked for Marine Midland Bank for many years and retired in 1978 as Assistant Vice President of the bank's Western Division and Manager of the Lewiston Office. Early in his career he worked at the former Power City Bank. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. John was one of the organizers of the Lewiston Historical Society and was a director and treasurer for many years. He was a former treasurer of the Lewiston Business & Professional Society; the Lewiston Art Festival; life member and former assistant treasurer of the Old Fort Niagara Association; a former member of the Lions Club and Lewiston Queenston Rotary Club. John had served on the Board of Directors for the Niagara Falls Country Club and the Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Association. John was an avid reader and loved classical music. He was a dedicated golfer for many years, reflecting his Scottish roots, and greatly enjoyed his yearly fishing trips to Canada with his close friends where he was always the appointed chef. John was known for his gentle and dry sense of humor. He had an extensive memory of limericks, which he tastefully quoted only when appropriate. He was always the life of the party at family get-togethers, making sure everyone was comfortable. Mostly, he was a steadfast husband and loving father. On January 3, 1948 he married Mary Jane (Haskell) MacArthur. Mary Jane predeceased him on December 23, 1978. He is survived by his children, John (Sarah) MacArthur of Youngstown, Beth (Kirk) Patton of Lewiston, and Peter MacArthur of Beaverton, OR; two grandchildren, Quinn Patton and Tyler MacArthur. He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth Marsh and Mary Hosmer. Services and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Niagara County SPCA, 2100 Lockport Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville, NY.