Arthur Weinreich, Jr.
Arthur Frederick Weinreich, Jr., (Art) made his transition on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. His last wish was to die at home , after finding out he had pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver. I would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for making that last wish possible and providing compassionate, loving care.
Art was born on February 12, 1952, in Elmhurst, Illinois, to proud parents Arthur Sr. and Louetta. Art graduated from Fenton High School in 1970 and attended college at the University of Illinois Chicago and Western Illinois University, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in commercial design. He met Wilma, his wife, while they were both working at Ponderosa Steak House. They got engaged on May 5, 1972, and married on October 5, 1974. They enjoyed 50 wonderful years together. They loved to travel to the West and Southwest, New Orleans, Mexico, and Hawaii. He also enjoyed cooking/grilling; throwing socks at the TV when the Bears game was on; playing with Rufus, our cat; spending quality time with his family and friends.
Art was always interested in cowboys and Indians, mobsters of Chicago, history of the Old West and Southwest, the beauty and culture of the Native American people and their lands, and his music. He loved making playlists for us to enjoy. He was a very creative and talented artist. He experimented in different mediums — drawing, painting, beadwork, photography. He loved Halloween and was always eager to decorate and dress up. He was the hit of the neighborhood. He was a perfectionist with a kind and caring heart. And loyal to his family, friends, and yes, even the Chicago Bears.
He worked as an offset stripper at a few different printing shops while living in the Chicagoland area. After we moved to Arizona in 2000, Art decided he wanted to work at the Boulders Resort in Carefree, Arizona. He started there in August of 2000 as a maitre d at one of the restaurants where he met many famous people, but his love was the land and the critters that resided there so he switched to Security and remained there until he retired in 2020. He was a dedicated employee and was voted the Employee of the Year in 2001, receiving an all-paid trip to Washington, D.C. He loved being retired, being home with Wilma and Rufus, listening to his playlists, and planning our next adventure.
Art is survived by his wife Wilma; sister-in-law Janet “Tootsie” Ashbaugh; nephew Terry Tobolik; niece Linda Millar; nephew Ronald Clay Brown; and niece Bonnie Bishop.
Should you wish to make a donation in Art’s memory, please donate to a pancreatic cancer organization such as https://www.pancan.org. This cancer is called a silent killer. It is very aggressive and it took Art’s life in three months’ time.
Or you may wish to donate to Hospice of the Valley, hov.org/donate.