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Fair Lynbrook resident Arthur Henry Heintze, 89
Lynbrook resident Arthur Henry Heintze died on Sept. 30 at the Water’s Edge Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Middletown, Conn. He was 89.
Born in Valley Falls, N.Y., to the late Heinrich and Emma (Kind) Heintze, he lived in Nassau County his entire life. Heintze was a longtime resident of Valley Stream, and later Lynbrook, where he spent his time looking after his mother, gardening, repurposing and building things.
Heintze served in the United States Air Force from December 1948 to September 1952, earning a United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Battle Star,and an Honorable Discharge. As an Airman First Class, Heintze was an aircraft mechanic keeping the B-29 Superfortress bombers flying on their hazardous missions.
In civilian life, Heintze had a long, proud career at Pan Am, working to keep their aircraft in service, finally retiring in 1991. In his youth, Heintze was an avid trapper of Long Island muskrats, selling the pelts to Sears and Roebuck for $5 apiece. He captured and trained Sharp-shinned Hawks. Through this, he developed a love and respect for nature and the wild outdoors. He looked after the stray cats that wandered into his yard, building elaborate shelters for them. He was a man before his time: once riding his bicycle from Harrison, N.Y. to Rutland, Vt., and then back, just to visit a friend. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones.
Heintze never married. He is survived by several nephews and nieces, and grandnephews and grandnieces. He also leaves behind many friends whom he met with regularly at the Lynbrook McDonald’s, and many wonderful, caring neighbors from his Earle Street neighborhood.
A graveside service was held on Oct. 13 at Greenwood Union Cemetery, 215 North St., Rye, NY. There will be no calling hours. To leave an online message of condolence for his family, visit carmonfuneralhome.com.
