Roman Z. Artuph

EAST LONGMEADOW – Roman Z. “Artie” Artuph, Jr., 78, a resident of East Longmeadow and formerly of Springfield, died on July 7, 2018. He was born March 20, 1940 in Springfield to the late Roman and Rose (Jenkot) Artuph. Roman graduated from the High School of Commerce and attended Florida State University, University of New York at Plattsburgh and Springfield Technical College.  He served in the United States Air Force and was a disabled Vietnam War Veteran. Roman and his unit were personally decorated by President John F. Kennedy at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida in 1962 for their meritorious service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was discharged at the rank of Airman First Class.  He retired in 1992 from the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier at the Forest Park Station with 29 years of service. Springfield Mayor, Robert Markel, proclaimed October 2nd as Roman Z. Artuph Day in Springfield citing his service to the community and to its homeless. Roman was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, volunteer for Springfield Chapter 68 Charitable Activities at the Veterans Medical Center at Leeds and the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, National Association of Letter Carriers, A.A.R.P., Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Hampden County, where he was a Big Brother of the Year in 1993, a volunteer and member of the board of directors of Open Pantry Community Services, Inc., a volunteer and Ward Captain for the Massachusetts Recycling Law, member of Massachusetts Coalition on Safety and Health and a member of the Massachusetts Public Information Relations Group.  He was a communicant of Saint Michael’s in East Longmeadow, where he was a Eucharistic Minister administering to residents of nursing homes and shut ins, Property Manager and member of the Parish Council, longtime volunteer and Area Captain for the Annual Diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal for which he received a Twenty Five Year Service Award from Bishop Joseph Maguire in 1988, a charter member and officer of its Knights of Columbus and Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Spiritual and Elderly Life Commissions, volunteer and coordinator of the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and Warming Place, an overnight homeless shelter program, and Taste of East Longmeadow Committee, a fund raising activity for the church. Roman was also Lead Cook for many parish dinners including, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter Seder, and Country Western. He also cooked for various church deaneries in Springfield.  Roman was a master gardener and freshwater fisherman who fished extensively in Northern Minnesota. He was also a member of the former Agawam Sportsman’s Club.  He leaves several cousins and many friends to cherish his memory.  Burial with military honors will be held at 11AM on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam.  Memorial contributions in Roman’s name may be made to Open Pantry Community Service P.O. Box 5127, Springfield, MA 01101-5127 or Springfield Rescue Mission P.O. Box 9045 Springfield, MA, 01102-9045. For online condolences, please visit www.forastiere.com