Obituary

Longtime East Rockaway resident Arthur Harding dies

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Arthur “Art” Harding, a longtime resident of East Rockaway, died peacefully on Aug. 17 with his wife of 60 years, Helen, by his side. He was 83.

Harding, born March 11, 1927, in Brooklyn, was the son of Edward and Pauline Harding. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943, seeing action near Japan and China during World War II. He and Helen enjoyed their first 10 years of marriage in Brooklyn and then moved to East Rockaway in 1960, living in the same home for more than 50 years.

Harding was a policeman and detective for 20 years with the NYPD, retiring in 1974. He then had a second 20-year career as an investigator with Insurance Crime Prevention Institute of Westport, Conn.

Harding was an active member, deacon and trustee of Bethany Congregational Church, where he and Helen belonged for more than 50 years. He was also a very active member in American Legion Post 958, serving in many roles including chaplain and post commander.

The Hardings traveled many times across the United States to visit their sons and grandchildren and he loved his church, community, friends and extended family of sister-in-laws, their husbands, nieces and nephews on Long Island.

Along with his wife, Helen, Harding is survived by four sons, Arthur Jr. and his wife, Cindy of Dallas, Texas, and their children Julie and Jennifer and her husband Craig Cardwell; son Glenn and wife, Laura, of Arlington, Texas, and their children Bradley and Lindsey and her husband Bryan Jones: and a son, Thomas and his wife Kimberly of Mastic, and his children Thomas and Nicole; and a son, Kenneth, and wife Kristi of Arlington, Texas, and their children Claire and Emily. Harding is also survived by his sister, Madeline Drew, of Yaphank, and was preceded in death by his brother, Edward of Levittown.

The family received friends and family on Aug. 20 at Donza Funeral Home, 333 Atlantic Ave. in East Rockaway. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Bethany Congregational Church, Main Street, East Rockaway, NY 11518.