Arthur J. Tardiff, 78, of Marblehead, died peacefully at home on 3 May 2009, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

Arthur was born and raised in Salem. He graduated from Salem High School in 1949 and joined the U.S. Navy, where served in the Korean Conflict on the U.S.S. Caliente in the Pacific. After being honorably discharged four years later, he enrolled in the Industrial Technical School in Boston and studied mechanical illustration. He was employed as a technical illustrator at Reid Brothers & Post Machinery Co. in Beverly for 17 years. Following that, he went to work at General Electric in the Aircraft Engine Dept., where he did technical illustrations of aircraft engines. He retired from GE in 1993 and enjoyed 16 years of retirement, traveling with his wife throughout the United States, Canada, and China.

He was a pastoral assistant for 10 years at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead, a role he enjoyed tremendously. He was a kind and gentle man, loved by many friends.

Arthur married Dorothy Dombrowski in 1956. They began their family and in 1963 moved to Marblehead, where they have lived for 46 years. They were blessed with 53 years of a wonderful marriage and family life.

He was active in the Boy Scouts of America with Troop 11 of Marblehead. He became an instructor with the Shu Shu Ga Adult Training Program and spent more than thirty years working with Scout parents and leaders, teaching the Scouting program, skills, and values. In 1988, he was given the Silver Beaver Award.

Arthur was also an avid photographer, particularly of the National Parks and nature. An enthusiastic fisherman, he enjoyed catching striped bass, surfcasting from Marblehead beaches.

His primary interest, though, was his family. He was a devoted father to his four children and later to his grandchildren, taking many camping and hiking trips and instilling in them a lasting love of the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Michael Tardiff and Nancy Anderson of Seattle, David Tardiff and Ann of Tyngsboro, Mary Orne and Fred of Marblehead, Cathy Livingstone and David of Shelburne Falls; and eight grandchildren: Matthew, Meghan, and Ryan Scott, Emily and Peter Tardiff, Brian and Matthew Orne, and Nadia Anderson. He also leaves two sisters: Theresa Sorenson of Salem, and Jeannette Pero of Las Vegas. He was the son of the late Mary (Szczechowicz) and Wilfred Tardiff.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in his name to the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL,33136, to help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease; or to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923, in gratitude for their compassionate care.