Arthur Norman Means

On Saturday morning January 15, Arthur Means passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.

He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on June 20,1933 to William H. Means and Mary Winkley. William Means passed away in 1936 when Arthur was 3 years old.  Arthur was then raised by his mother and his brother, Leo Strouss, who was 20 years older than Art. At this time, they were living in Dayton, Ohio. The three of them moved on to Seattle, Washington in the late 40s before eventually coming to the tri-city area in the early 50s.

Art enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1954 and served in the service for 3 years. He then came back to Newark and held down various jobs such as working in the old Hunts cannery in Hayward till 1960. In 1960 he and Leo started a local taxi business, S & M Taxi, which, in addition to the regular tasks of a cab company, they also had contracts to take handicap children to school. In the course of his job Art met a young woman who would sometimes call his cab, her name was Nellie Ramirez. This was the beginning of a courtship that would end up with them getting married in 1963 at St. Edwards church in Newark. They had two sons, Paul, followed by Daniel a few years later. They would end up living in Newark till the day Art passed away. They were married for 58 years.

Art loved his wife and sons and was a good husband and father who provided and took care of them for all his life. He lived his life for them and spoiled them and as long as they were happy, he was happy.

All the family and friends who came across Art would best describe him as a gentle and kind man who cared for them and was always willing to help them. He was an avid sports fan and an avid movie fan, passions that he passed on to his sons. He was also a voracious reader who enjoyed reading biographies. He spent many days of the early portion of his retirement at the library.

Arthur is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nellie, and by sons Paul and Daniel and his daughter-in-law Mercy. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Hope Bettencourt and Carmelita Hernandez; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life service is planned at Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA on February 4 at 8 AM ; with a rosary beginning at 10 AM. The burial of his ashes will be at Irvington Memorial Cemetery, 41001 Chapel  Way, Fremont, CA will follow; with a reception after at El Patio Restaurant in Fremont, CA.