|
Arthur Kenneth ‘Art’ Sirkis was
born on May 3, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY to Rose and Irving Sirkis. He
was the middle of three boys and shared a very close relationship
with brothers Louis and Colonel (Retired) Michael Sirkis ’56.
Arthur attended Erasmus Hall High School, where he
excelled in drama, was selected to Arista (a National Honor Society
Chapter) and served as senate president. His academic performance,
personal accomplishments and leadership abilities earned him a
scholarship to Cornell University. He attended Cornell for a year
before he was appointed to the United States Military Academy in
1950 by Congresswoman Edna Kelly. The distinction was a source of
great pride to his father, who had served in World War I.
During his years at West Point, Arthur was involved
in extracurricular activities including the Debate Society and the
Russian Club. He also enjoyed camping at Camp Buckner with his
roommates and friends, who still remember his great sense of humor.
After completing the Air Defense Artillery Basic Officers Course
following graduation from West Point, Art joined classmates from
other branches at the Airborne School at Fort Benning. His fortitude
and courage were most evident when he broke a foot bone on his
next-to-last jump and then refused medical attention until
completing his qualification jump the next day.
Arthur served as an artillery officer in Chicago
until he left the service in 1957. It was in Chicago that he met his
bride-to-be, Phyllis Neher, who lived in the apartment next door.
They were engaged in December and married in March of 1957. While
still on active duty, Arthur enrolled at Chicago Kent Law School,
taking courses at night. Following his resignation from active duty
as a first lieutenant in June of 1957, Arthur and Phyllis moved to
Brooklyn, NY, where he attended New York Law School at night while
working full-time by day in New York Telephone Company’s Executive
Training Program. After graduating from law school, Arthur passed
the New York State Bar Exam. When his father passed away in 1961,
Arthur took over his position as a city marshal, resigning from the
telephone company. Although he planned to work part-time as an
attorney while serving as city marshal, he added so much business
that he had no time to practice law.
Faced with a difficult decision about his future
career path, in 1968 Arthur decided to concentrate on law and open a
“country” law practice in New Jersey, moving Phyllis and their five
children to Budd Lake. He made the move before passing the New
Jersey Bar Exam, a challenge he embraced with confidence and
tenacity. After passing the bar in 1969, Arthur opened an office in
Hackettstown, NJ. Known for his integrity, intellect and work ethic,
Arthur’s practice steadily grew, primarily through word of mouth. As
a trial lawyer, whether representing municipalities, banks or the
common man, Arthur treated all of his clients as equals. Although he
achieved great success, Arthur never lost his humility or compassion
for others. He had no desire for the limelight and would often help
others anonymously with donations or assistance.
Arthur worked long hours but consistently made time
for his wife and children, who were always his top priority. He also
made time for one of his favorite hobbies—bicycle riding with his
friend John and later with his son Dan. The rides grew into treks
across New Jersey, where they discovered plants and wildlife along
the way. In his later years, Arthur’s cycling adventures enabled him
to continue to physically challenge himself. He also enjoyed
cultivating his garden, growing many varieties of fruits and
vegetables.
Arthur was a member of the West Point Society of New
Jersey and New York, and enjoyed attending West Point reunions. He
kept in touch with his former roommates, Arnold Winkelman and Dick
Steimle, and their wives; getting together as often as possible.
After his daughter Joan married fellow attorney
Michael Lavery, Arthur invited the two to join his practice. They
became partners, and the firm name changed to Sirkis and Lavery.
In 1999, Arthur was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease, a debilitating disease he fought courageously for 14 years.
Although he faced growing physical challenges, giving up was never
an option to him. For many of those years, he continued to practice
law, refusing to let the disease define him. He also found an outlet
for his tremendous creative talent by working through the last few
months of his life with his daughter Jane’s advertising agency,
creating original concepts and scripts for radio and television
commercials. Arthur also pushed himself physically, always testing
his limits. Refusing to feel sorry for himself, Arthur, with the
help of Phyllis, found ways to continue with his favorite hobbies,
including replacing his mountain bike with a tandem bike so that
those exhilarating rides could continue.
Through the final days of his life, Arthur remained
in close contact with his children and extended family, and could
always be counted on to lend an ear, share a laugh or celebrate even
the smallest of accomplishments. He never lost his optimism or
positive outlook, bolstered by Phyllis’ love and support through the
most difficult of challenges.
Arthur left behind his wife, Phyllis; their five
children: Jonathan, Jane (Przada), Dan, Joan (Lavery) and Ann
(Miranda); ten grandchildren; two brothers and their wives; as well
as nieces, nephews and friends. His legacy is not his long battle
with Parkinson’s; instead, it is the impact he had on so many lives
he touched. As one of his friends said after his passing, “Arthur
left this world a better place.” |
