Arthur L. Frownfelter, 86, of 4930 Rt. 59, Lewis Run, was called to be with the Lord on Monday May 9, 2022 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home, surrounded by family.
Born December 18, 1935, in Carlisle, he was the son of the late Arthur H. and Nora (Sheaffer) Frownfelter. Art was involved in Boy Scouts of America throughout his youth and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He later became a Scout leader and maintained his love of the outdoors throughout his long life.
On March 28, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged on March 27, 1959.
On November 18, 1983, in Warren, he married the love of his life and best friend Anne M. (Widomski) Frownfelter, who survives. Together, they purchased Black Bear Campground in Marshburg, which they have operated ever since. With Art’s fondness for the outdoors and penchant for hard work, he managed to fix almost anything at the campground with almost anything in his toolshed. The residents of the campground both human and bear will miss Art dearly.
Art was a jack-of-all-trades, working a variety of positions and professions throughout his life. He built cabinets, coached gymnastics, managed a shoe store, and even performed acrobatics with a local circus. Later in his life, he attended the American School of Photography to hone his natural skill with a camera. Photography was Art’s passion; he photographed everything, even the mundane, as he believed a photographer could make any subject interesting. “Anyone can take a picture,” Art would say, “but not everyone can take a photo.”
Art freelanced as a photographer and won several Associated Press awards for his work. He was the staff photographer at the Bradford Era for many years. In addition, Art and his wife created AnnArt Photo, taking school photos at The Learning Center where his daughters were enrolled and shooting custom wedding portraits in the area.
Art also had many hobbies and interests that he was happy to share with others. He enjoyed painting and drawing, reading suspense novels, camping and boating at the Kinzua Dam, and cooking new foods. He appreciated warm summer nights around the campfire, thunderstorms from under his covered porch, and the occasional fine wines and spirits.
Art loved his family and staunchly supported his children in their many endeavors. He was instrumental in starting the band boosters at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School and was the loudest cheerleader in the stands at track meets, band competitions, and swim meets.
His family was blessed in 2007 to adopt a yellow labrador, Harley, that Art adamantly did not want and insisted would be an outdoor dog. By 2008, Harley was Art’s best friend and constant companion who slept in his bed and never left his side.
Despite several critical ailments and physical limitations incurred over the last 20 years, Art always seemed to defy the odds and persevere. More than one of Art’s doctors referred to him as a “walking miracle,” but his family, particularly his daughters, just knew him as the toughest old bird this side of Tuna Creek.
In addition to his wife of 38 years, Art is survived by two daughters, Danielle (Christopher) Michel and Lacey (Aaron Tipping) Frownfelter; two sons, Larry (Lorraine) Frownfelter and Douglas (Louise) Frownfelter; a daughter, Sharon (Michael) Kelso; three sisters, Iris Bowers, Sharon (Garry) Saphore, and Bonnie Klink; six grandchildren, Arya, Eowyn, Melissa, Kristen, Stephanie, and Andrew; and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Art was preceded in death by his faithful companion, Harley.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday May 13, 2022, at the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Home, 33 South Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 1 p.m., Monday May 16, 2022 at St. Bernard Church with Rev. Jim Gutting as Celebrant. Committal services and Military Honors by members of the United States Marine Corp., and the Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 108 of Bradford, will follow immediately at St. Bernard Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that all visitors wear a mask regardless of vaccination status in order to protect our most vulnerable friends.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to the McKean County SPCA, the Bradford Ecumenical Home, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com