Viera, FL – Arthur (Art) Bierlein, 94 formerly of Dix Hills, NY and Jacksonville, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on September 7, 2023. Art was preceded in death by his wife Nancy (1993).

Art leaves behind his loving family, daughter Cathy (Bierlein) Errico, sons Bill (Lucy), Jim (Eileen), Tom (Natalie) and Bob (Alexis); twelve grandchildren, James (Sarah), Bryan (Sarah), Billy, Kevin, Philip, Michael, Marc (Sydney), Kris, Marissa, Jack, Tyler and Zach; three great grandchildren Cooper, Christian, Charlotte; loving sister Carol Arnold of Colorado.

Art was born on January 1, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, he loved sports and aviation. He spent most of his youth playing baseball, golf, and hockey and building model airplanes. His love of sports carried forward to his sons and grandsons who excelled in athletics during their youth. His passion for aviation carried forward to his thirty five year engineering career at Grumman Aerospace Corporation. After High School, he received a two year degree from the Academy of Aeronautics in Queens, NY and subsequently joined the United States Army. He proudly served our country in Korea and was discharged, with honors, upon completion of his tour of duty.

After returning home from Korea, Art followed his passion for aviation and began working for Scandinavian Airlines in New York, where he met the love of his life, Nancy. While working for SAS, he married Nancy and began night studies at New York University where he completed his Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering. While pursuing his degree, he began his career at Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, New York, where he would spend the remainder of his thirty five year career as a propulsion engineer working on various programs for the U.S. Navy. He was instrumental in the design and development of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was the premier Navy fighter jet from the early 1970’s through 2006.

Even though Art was a highly respected and accomplished engineer, his true lifelong passion was his family. He was the true definition of a selfless, devoted family man. Over the years, he would forgo any career advancement opportunities which he thought would take time away from his family. There were yearly summer vacations to Maine, a cross-country road trip to California and a winter break train adventure to Florida. He attended every baseball, hockey and lacrosse game, camera in hand. Later, he would take on the role of youth baseball coach. Not a birthday, graduation, or any special occasion was ever missed. Art had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed playing practical jokes on his coworkers and telling clean jokes to family and friends. He passed that humor on to his children which he paid for when he became the subject of the many practical jokes they played on him. His greatest legacy is the fact that his love of family was passed down to his five children and eight grandsons. Dad/Papa, you are missed, but will NEVER be forgotten…….