Obituary of Arthur Michael Muti
Arthur Michael Muti, Jr. passed away suddenly from heart failure on Sunday morning, June 7th. Big Art was born on July 14, 1939 in Jamaica, Queens, NY to Arthur & Caroline Muti (née Yenoli) where he lived with younger brother, Robert, through childhood. Art was a phenomenal high school baseball player and received an offer to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers as a centerfielder, which he turned down to attend college.
Art studied Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Farmingdale, where he met his loving wife, Judy (née Cerra). Shortly after graduating, Art & Judy married on July 3, 1960 – it would have been their 60th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.
They started their life together in Flushing, Queens, NY, where Art began his job at Foster Wheeler in their engineering department. He accepted a job offer with Olivetti, and he and Judy moved to Huntington, Long Island, where their first son was born, Arthur Michael Muti, III.
Soon after, the family moved to Huntington, CT where they welcomed their second son, David. Art left his job at Olivetti to start his own business, A-Z Rentals, in Hamden and Bridgeport, CT. After much success, Art sold the business and took some time to be with his family.
In 1977, Art accepted a job offer with Multitone Pocket Beepers, and the family relocated to Mountain Lakes, which soon became their heart and soul. Art then left his job at Multitone to become the President & CEO of Varta Batteries, North American Operations. He finished his career as the President & CEO of Penco Steel Company and retired at the age of 62.
Art was a proud member of his community. He frequently enjoyed “exercising” his ’65 and ‘67 Corvettes around town. He was the #1 fan of The Herd and the Mountain Lakes Lacrosse teams, never missing a single game. The lights of his life were his grandchildren, all from Mountain Lakes. Watching them grow and supporting them through all of their sporting events was his pride and joy. He was the Chairman of the C.E.R.T. team as a proud protector of his beloved town. Art was Chairman of the 55 and Older Club of Mountain Lakes. Art was a longtime member of Rockaway River Country Club, where he served on the Board and numerous committees. He loved playing golf, tennis, and paddle tennis. Art loved cooking for his friends and family, frequently making his favorite Italian meals and bread from scratch, and loved hosting his famous 4th of July party on the lake. He recently welcomed a great-granddaughter Erin, whom he loved immeasurably.
Art was a friend to everyone he met. He made everyone feel as though they belonged and that they were the most important person in the room. He was the life of the party, a true presence. His heart was too big for this world and he will be missed dearly by many.
Art is predeceased by his parents, Art and Caroline Muti (née Yenoli), and his best friend, Rudy the dog.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith; brother Robert and wife Judy (née Gioia); son Art and wife Eileen (née Kearney) and their children, AJ and wife Shannon (née Murphy) and their daughter Erin; Elizabeth, John & Dylan; son David and wife Colleen (née O’Dowd) and their children David and Charlie; numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to current limitations there will be a private viewing for family and friends by invitation at Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton.
If desired, donations can be made in Big Art’s name to Homeless Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit near and dear to his heart. 3 Wing Drive, Suite 245, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 or by visiting https://homelesssolutions.org/how-you-can-help/donate-money/donate-now/