Most people recognize Arthur as the backstage curtain puller who has modestly taken bow after bow year after year after so many APCG and Doctor’s Fund performances. (In fact, some people call them the “Arthur Curtains.”) What you may not know is that Arthur has also been in a few shows himself, most memorably as one of the Three Little Fishes along with Ted and Robert in a Larry Weisen show in the mid-80s called “Radiola” that some of you remember well.

What you also may not know is that Arthur is a virtual embodiment of community service. He started coming to Cherry Grove full time in 1982 and it wasn’t long before he got wrapped up in the workings of the Grove. In 1985 he joined the Fire Department (“where does the time go?” he asks) and within a few years he was Vice President and then President where he has stayed for the last 20 years.  It’s a big, time-consuming job, and includes organizing and running 16 pancake breakfast fund raisers, several open house events, and the Firefighters Annual Dinner. For the past five years, he has served as Secretary to the Fire District’s Board of Fire Commissioners. 

But he’s been on other Grove boards and committees, too. He was on the Art Project Board for a few years in the early 1980s. Then in 1985 Terry Warren talked him into chairing the APCG Ball. (“Arthur, there’s nothing to it,” said Terry, “You just pick a theme and direct the helpers.”)  Well, not exactly. That was the year of Hurricane Gloria which hit three days before the Ball. It was cancelled, but Arthur was pressed into service the next year to recycle the theme and re-direct the helpers. They also talked him into volunteering for Casino Nights at the Joker 7 table. Has played and has been a caller for Bingo as well.

When he first arrived in the Grove, Arthur lived at “Cielo e Mar” with his partner Ted Firestone; then on to “Whispering Reeds” at Bay and Surf, and then to Nat Fowler’s house “Stage Right.” Now he’s settled in at Briar Patch on Aeon Walk with Michael Romanelli.

You also may not know that Arthur Carberry Cohen was born at the Brooklyn Medical Center on DeKalb Avenue in 1942, “the only child of loving parents, Margaret and Arthur Cohen.” His father died just before he started grammar school. When he attended Holy Innocents Roman Catholic School, he was the only Cohen in the school. After some stops in Bay Ridge and Flatbush (his address for 58 years), he ended up on South Portland Avenue in Fort Greene.  

In 1995, Arthur and his cousin Mary Kay put together the Carberry family history that grew from the original six children to about 500. He estimates that among his vast family of cousins and second cousins, he’s been at more that 100 family weddings.

Arthur graduated from Erasmus Hall HS (yes, he went to school with Barbra. Yes, that Barbra) and St. John’s University. 

His work life has been as varied and full as his Cherry Grove life.  He was a licensed real estate broker for J.P. Morgan where he was part of the team that sold the Allied Chemical Tower at Times Square and was an advisor to the Shubert estate on their real estate holdings and worked on loans to Waterside and North Waterside on the East River, and L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington DC.

Arthur later was credit customer service manager and staff trainer for Abraham & Straus. When he became revenue process manager for The Metropolitan Opera House, his lack of a union card stole his chance for fame in the film “Moon Struck.”  He at last found a home at The NYC Department of Transportation and his department was merged into the Department of Finance where he is Security Administrator citywide for three major systems -- taxes, parking and centralized payment for all water, sanitation, housing and street vendor violation fines. He’s been there 20 years now and sometimes you hear him talk about retirement. Considering his record for keeping busy, this seems unlikely.  

Arthur wants you to know he’s had many wonderful years with fun times and good memories among all our Grove family. We return the compliment with our gratitude.