Obituary of Arthur O. Hess

Hess, Arthur O. Jr., age 77 of Hamburg, January 20, 2017. Son of the late Arthur and Mary Caroline Hess. Brother of Carolyn Ann (Edwin) Drabek. Uncle of Timothy (Ann Marie) and Michael (Tiffany) Drabek. Great uncle of Jonathan, Joshua, Gabriel, Caleb and Nicholas. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at SS. Peter & Paul RC Church, 66 East Main Street, Hamburg on Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 AM. No prior visitation. Arrangements by the DONALD M. DEMMERLEY FUNERAL HOME, INC., 21 Pierce Avenue, Hamburg, New York 14075. Online guest register at www.demmerleyfuneralhome.com. Arthur O. Hess was born on April 26, 1939 in Buffalo, New York. He was the son of Mary Caroline (Wilhelm) and Arthur O. Hess, Sr. He graduated from SS. Peter & Paul grade school in 1953 and Hamburg High School in 1957. While working at his parent's flower shop (Hess Bros.), He attended Bryant and Stratton Business Institute where he earned an Associates Degree in Accounting in 1959. In 1962 he served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve as a general clerk Sp4. In 1964 he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve as an administrative specialist Sgt. until 1968. In 1959 he joined the Bethlehem Steel Erection Department as a field clerk. After the death of his mother in 1968, he went to Toronto and joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police as a records clerk in 1969. Returning to the United States in 1970, he became a bookkeeper at the Ace Office Cleaning Corp. in New York City. His dad died in 1978. He left New York City in 1979 and moved to Los Angeles, CA working as an office manager until 1981. Leaving California, he went to Ocala, FL where he bought the Shady Grove Mobile Home Park. The business was sold and he moved to the Daytona Beach area, working as a security officer until 1996. In November of 1995, he joined the State of Florida Agency of Health Care Administration as a Medicaid Provider. In 2005, working through the State of Florida, he became a care giver for the autistic and mentally handicapped. In applying for this position, some of the comments from his associates were as follows: "Mr. Hess is of high moral conduct, is well educated, intelligent and a hard working honest person". In 2013, after serving as a care giver for mentally challenged teenagers and men, Arthur reached the end of his professional career. His health and financial difficulties forced him to move to Hamburg, NY with his sister, Carolyn and her husband, Edwin Drabek. During his career as a care giver, he was given various certificates for his work as a provider in community based service. In 1995, he completed a course of study at Daytona Beach Community College. He was given a certificate of appreciation by the Volunteer Service Bureau of Marion County, He was awarded a certificate of recognition for service provided to the volunteer program. He was awrded a certificate of appreciation for his time and talents to clients and staff of the Stewart Marshman Center. Art's ideas, hopes and dreams knew no limits, nor was his passion. He loved hunting and automobiles. He owned two corvettes and drag raced in his younger days. Art would make sure that all those around him would experience his love for them as well. He loved talking about the world and his heart knew no bounds and neither did his generosity and he cared deeply about those that he loved. Art was loved by so many people and he loved life. We will miss him forever. Arthur was active in church activities in Ocala, FL and the Basilica of St. Paul in Daytona Beach. He became a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hamburg. He is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the American Legion in Florida.