Obituary of Edward Artick

Edward F. Artick, Jr. spent his life in humble service to his country, passed away after a brief illness at the Woodbriar Nursing facility in Wilmington on Thursday afternoon, June 13, 2013. He was 92 years old. Edward was born in Chelsea, the son of the late Edward and Mary Artick. He grew up and was educated in Chelsea. After graduating high school he spent 3 years at Northeastern University. He left college to serve his country to fight in WW II in the Army Air Corps. He served as a navigator on a B-17 bomber and flew on over 30 combat missions over Germany. On his last mission, his plane was shot down, but he and his fellow crew mates all parachuted to safety, but then spent the last 18 months of the war in a German Prisoner of War Camp. At the end of the war he was freed and returned home. He was discharged in January 15, 1947 as a 1st Lieutenant and was the recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal with 1 Battle Star, American Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he sustained. He proudly and courageously served his country and fellow crew mates. Edward continued to serve his country for another 30 years as an employee of the US Navy Oceanographic Office within the Department of Defense. He worked as a cartographer at Andrews Air Force Base using skills he learned as a navigator along with the scientific, technological and artistic aspects of developing and producing maps used by Navy aviators. He also was a past member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans organizations. Edward was a modest man. He spent much of his retirement years at family home in Scituate. He enjoyed spending those days by the ocean and fishing. He loved sports and was a huge Red Sox, Bruins and Patriots fan. He loved music especially Big Band and Dixieland. He had a strong devotion to his family. In his later years he enjoyed passing the time with his son, sharing his love of sports, family, and reminiscing about the past and his many experiences. Edward was truly part of the Greatest Generation. The phrase was coined by Tom Brokaw in his 1998 book The Greatest Generation, Brokaw states; It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced. Brokaw argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. When they came back from the War, they rebuilt America into a superpower. Edward was the devoted husband of the late Margaret (Vecchione) Artick. He was the proud father of Stephen Artick & his wife Diane of Burlington. He was the stepfather of Marilyn Peery & her husband Lloyd of Middlesex, NJ and the late Edwin Cooper and his wife Carol Cooper of Saugus. Brother of the late Robert Artick and Marguerite Thompson. Proud grandfather of Jennifer Artick or Burlington, Deidre Peters, Nancy Peery, Phillip Peery and Cynthia Kyryczenko all of NJ. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Sunday from 3-6 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Private graveside services will be held at the MA National Veteran’s Cemetery in Bourne. Memorials in Edward’s name may be made to the N. E. Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108