Rev. Arthur T. Roxby, Jr.

Rev. Arthur T. Roxby, Jr., 76, of RD Philipsburg, was freed from his earthly chains on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at his residence.

He was born on January 7, 1942, on the family farm, in Decatur Township, RD Philipsburg, oldest son of the late Arthur T. Roxby, Sr. and E. June (Price) Roxby.

He was a 1959 graduate of the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School. He attended Lock Haven University for one year following high school and completed the Approved Course of Study for Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene in 1977.

He was a carpenter by trade and owned / operated a local general contracting business. It was through this career as a builder that he was called to a second vocation to serve in the ministry. Answering this call, he undertook a Ministerial Training Course of Study and was ordained in July 1977 in the Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene at their campground in Butler, PA.

Rev. Roxby brought his love of singing, his passion for preaching the Word and his skill set as a carpenter to those under his charge. His pastoral assignments in The Church of the Nazarene in Pennsylvania included Freedom, Boswell, Mercer, Petersburg and Philipsburg; as well as out of state assignments in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and North Waldoboro, Maine. He would be instrumental in a number of construction projects while he was assigned to these various parishes including building and remodeling churches, parsonages and camp buildings.

Rev. Roxby was an avid hunter and fisherman. Some of his favorite times in life were hunting with his sons and his grandchildren and fishing with his family at Kettle Creek and on the ocean. He took great joy in creating custom gunstocks and in building furniture for his family. He mentored many men over the years of his life, teaching them to hunt, to fish, to do carpentry and to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The most important part of Rev. Roxby’s life was his love for his Lord Jesus Christ and preaching the gospel.

On January 7, 1964, in Washington, D.C., Rev. Roxby was married to the love of his life, the Rev. Irene I. (McGee) Roxby, who survives at home.

He is also survived by three sons: Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Roxby, III and his wife, Allyson, of Milford, Delaware, Christopher S. Roxby, of Philipsburg, and Rev. Patrick R. Roxby, of Hanover, (PA); six grandchildren (who brought him great joy): Caitlin Roxby, Kyle Roxby and his wife, Sara, Abigail Roxby, Zachary Roxby, Kathryn “Katy” Perez and her husband, George, and Natasha Roxby; one great-granddaughter, Madeleine June; a sister-in-law, Patti Roxby, of RD Philipsburg; his nephew, Robert J. Roxby, Jr., of Philipsburg; and a number of other extended family members.

Rev. Roxby was preceded in death by his brother, Robert J. Roxby, Sr., in addition to his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Nazarene, RD Philipsburg, with long-time friend, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Dillman, and his pastor, the Rev. John Versaw, officiating.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Rev. Roxby’s memory to the Church of the Nazarene, Building Fund, P.O. Box 726, Philipsburg, Pa 16866.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg, PA, 16866.