Arthur S. Potts

Arthur Steven Potts, age 68, of Bristol, PA, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.  He was born in Philadelphia to the late Arthur and Katherine Potts.

He is survived by his long-time best friend, Tracy Lee Tompkins; his “brothers”- Thomas Burke, Frank Scott, and Joseph Vecchione; and Ivory King, his “second mom.”

His father passed away when he was too young to remember him, so Art was raised by his mother, whom he adored.  She was one of the first women to open a small business in Philadelphia, a pet store on 5th Street in Olney, which Art eventually took over.  He set up aquariums, helped children with their small pets, and remembered every customer’s name and story.  He and his little store were neighborhood favorites for years.

While running the store and caring for his mom, Art dedicated himself to making his corner of the world a better place and bringing people together.  Over the years, he fully supported any endeavor that could make streets safer, help the disadvantaged, support charitable efforts, and serve the common good--the Friends of Fisher Park, Northwest Community Town Watch, Olney CB Town Watch, the Korean Community Development Center, the Olney Ambulance Squad (EMT), the Greater Olney Community Council, Fisher Park Day Camp, Operation Santa Claus, the Community Service Corps for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Computer Education Society of Philadelphia (CESOP)—just to name a few.  He directed, planned, and contributed to numerous community events in Olney, Fairmount Park, and other parts of the city: the Fisher Park Haunted House and Super Sunday, clean-ups and anti-graffiti efforts, and children’s activities were among his favorites.

After the pet store closed, his years of volunteer work led him to a new career as a Community Support Specialist for Town Watch Integrated Services (TWIS) under the managing director of the City of Philadelphia.  His goals were to teach citizens how to be safer, how to collaborate with each other and the police, and how to establish a sense of positivity, spirit, and pride.  He initiated community events; organized National Night Out; helped to create, train, and support new town watch groups; coordinated efforts with police and city officials; and resolved conflicts to prevent any escalation of violence.

Over the years, he won every community service award Philadelphia bestowed including the Four Chaplains and was honored by many groups like the South Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders.

Art was still active after an accident forced him to leave not only his job but also the city he dedicated his life to.  Fighting an infection last year, he met with members of CESOP in his room at the rehab center.  He had been a lead instructor and presenter for 20 years.  A graduate of Temple University with a degree in electronics, Art helped everyone when anything crashed or simply would not work.  He was a technology wizard.  He continued to be the webmaster and designer of the TWIS and CESOP websites as well.

Art loved gadgets and gizmos, Halloween, photography, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Santas, trains, and collecting stuff.  He loved animals, especially his cats Scout and Puddle, and he loved people- he simply cared about everyone.

Artie was one of God’s peacemakers, and he approached all with the same good natured, gentle kindness and laughter.  He lived his faith and his love for all to see.  He will be deeply missed always.

His Funeral Mass at Queen of the Universe Church in Levittown, as well as his burial in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, will be held privately, entrusted to the care of the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, Morrisville, PA,

A Memorial Mass will be held October 30, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Queen of the Universe Church, 2443 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA,.  Those who wish can follow, after the Mass, to Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne.