Arthur William "Art" Boxleitner Jr.

Arthur William “Art” Boxleitner, Jr., of Willow Street, PA passed away of natural causes Friday, December 1, 2017 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was 81 and one of the Christian faith. Born in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of the late Arthur William and Ruth Adalaide (Wise) Boxleitner, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage to Barbara Ann (Stallings) Boxleitner. Art grew up in the Cabbage Hill neighborhood of Lancaster and was a 1956 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps in the late 1950s. Upon returning to civilian life, he established a career as a renowned artist and sign painter. In addition to many independent commissioned art and sign projects, he also worked for Donovan Smith Associates, Penn Advertising, and later, Millersville University. In the 1980s, his artistic passions led him to attain notoriety as a decoy maker, with his works being sold in countries throughout the world. He was a life member of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. An ace hunter and fisherman, Art was a second generation member of the East Lampeter Township Gunning Club situated in one of his favorite places on earth, Tioga County. He was also passionate about conservation and preservation of the outdoors, once pointedly stating, “I’m against any kind of progress.” As a youngster and a teenager, Art was a standout in baseball and football, honing his skills on the sandlots on the property of what is now Lafayette Elementary. As a young adult, he coached the Willow Street Wolverines football squad, and even designed their vintage helmet logo used in the 1970s and ‘80s. He also coached one of the two girls’ softball teams in the town’s inaugural year of the sport. But his greatest sports passion was for baseball, coaching for many years for Willow Street and Rohrerstown. He grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and remained a loyal follower even after “Dem Bums” moved to Los Angeles. He was also an epic story teller. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons: Jon Arthur Boxleitner, of Lancaster, Andrew, husband of Rebecca Boxleitner of Millersville, Erik Boxleitner of Surfside Beach, SC, a daughter, Joy, wife of James Craun of Lancaster, and seven grandgifts, Bailey Boxleitner, Alexander Boxleitner, Mercy Boxleitner, Autumn Bradley, Isaak Boxleitner, Jordan Boxleitner, and Jonas Boxleitner. He was preceded in death by a son, Adam William Boxleitner and a brother, David Boxleitner. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Arthur’s Celebration of Life Funeral Service at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (corner of W. Orange & Pine Sts.) Lancaster, PA on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jay Frey officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening December 6, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Thursday at The Groffs from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s memory may be made to Bryn Mawr Rehab, 414 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA 19355.