Arthur Mansfield III

Gales Ferry — Arthur F. Mansfield III, born May 3, 1952, and known to many as Art, Butch, Pops, and Papa retired from this earthly life prematurely in the early afternoon hours of May 15, 2022. Born to and predeceased by Arthur and Jean Mansfield of

New Haven. Art is also predeceased by his wife of nearly 46 years Jo-Anne D. Hill Mansfield; his brother Scott Mansfield; as well as his sisters, Pamela and Martha Mansfield.

Art migrated to Ledyard in the ’70s, with his wife Dale after marrying March 2, 1973. Art was a devoted father, uncle and papa to Rebecca and her partner Molli “Max” Thurlow, Roxanne and her husband Matthew, Adam, Arianna, Katie and Shea. Additionally, Art is survived by four sisters; and a brother.

Art worked at Electric Boat for 49 years, retiring officially from his role as a receiving inspector May 6, 2022. He was well known by his peers to be able to outwork colleagues half his age and perfectly master the “EB Shuffle.” Prior to his career at Electric Boat, Art served in the United States Navy on board the USS Barney and served in the National Guard Reserves.

Prior to having children, Art and his wife Dale were competitive bowlers and active members of a few local leagues. After a long night of bowling, the team would frequent a local Howard Johnson’s restaurant; he always ordered the banana split — a treat he spoke of often to all those around him. In later years, it would be replaced by a Dairy Queen blizzard.

Once they started a family, Art became heavily involved with his children’s activities while they were growing up. As a board member of the Ledyard Girls Softball League, he helped coach countless teams and maintain the grounds for all softball fields during the many weekend tournaments held in Ledyard. He also coached baseball with his son’s team and traveled with all teams accordingly.

Additionally, he was an avid Disney fan and as such, maintained a healthy love of “Goofy” in his roles as “Uncle” and “Papa” to his beloved nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He is an avid supporter of sports of all seasons — a Boston Red Sox fan, a Connecticut Sun Season ticket holder, UConn basketball fan, Boston Celtics fan, New York Giants fan and a PGA fan. He was an avid golfer himself, attending the PGA Travelers Tournament annually and as a member of the Stonington Country Club. Art was a devout member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus and as an usher at Mass. He could often be found deeply praying in the back of the church during the Saturday vigil Mass.

Our family invites all to join us from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Fulton Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Avenue in New London. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, followed by Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London.