Arthur William ‘Art’ Lane

Jun 22, 2010

Arthur W. Lane

Arthur William “Art” Lane, of Fort Myers passed away peacefully at age 91 on June 9, 2010. He was born at 30 Mount Pleasant Street in Rockport, Mass., on April 30, 1919, to parents Chester Leroy and Edna Rowe Lane. He was baptized in the United Methodist Church where he was a member during the years Rockport was his home. He married his one true love, Constance (Connie) Cahoon, Christmas Day 1936. They resided in Rockport and Gloucester, Mass., until 1952 when they moved their family to Miami. While in Massachusetts, he was employed as a Woolworth’s Department Store manager, a carpenter, an assembler at Boston Woven Hose and a building contractor. As a contractor, he worked with George W. Harvey as supervisor of construction for many multiple service buildings and residences for the government. Later, he built homes for private individuals. He proudly served our country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. After moving to Miami, he was employed as a sales professional, traveling the country selling aluminum products. In 1962, he became general manager of what was then the world’s largest manufacturing plant for aluminum windows and relocated to Moultrie, Ga. He later returned, with his family, to south Florida where he and his son started their own aluminum company.

From 1970 to 1982, Art and wife, Connie, owned and operated Memory Lane Antiques and Garden Center in Davie. After retiring, the two made their home in Pine Island, Fla., where they spent many wonderful years entertaining family and friends before moving to Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. Not content to be idle, Art bought, sold and financed Lee County real estate well into his eighties.

He enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, playing checkers and cards, as well as many years of RV traveling throughout North America with Connie. His love of Rockport and Gloucester was evidenced by the fact that he summered there annually after moving to Florida, maintaining life-long friends like William Taliadoros and George Witham. He was a collector of New England art and appreciated the beauty of nature. He supported The Rockport Art Association, The North Shore Arts Association and the Thatcher Island Association. He completed his autobiography in 2009.

He was a kind, hard-working man and a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his cherished family and friends.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 73 years, Constance (Connie); son, Jan Lane (Karen) of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; daughter, Janelle Messana (Charles) of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; daughter, Janeene Albin (David) of Fort Myers, Fla.; grandson, C.A. Messana (Martha) of Plantation, Fla.; granddaughter, Lisa Lane of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; granddaughter, Laska Ryan (Michael) of Fort Myers, Fla.; granddaughter, Heidi Messana of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; grandson, Christian Messana (Melissa) of Parkland, Fla.; granddaughter, Constance Cordero of Fort Myers, Fla.; granddaughter-in-law, DeEtt Lane of Jupiter, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Tabitha Lane of Jupiter, Fla.; great-grandson, Christopher Messana of Plantation, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Courtney Lane of Jupiter, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Marisa Messana of Plantation, Fla.; great-grandson, Andrew Ryan of Fort Myers, Fla; great-grandson, Zachary Lane of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Cordero of Fort Myers, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Grace Ryan of Fort Myers, Fla.; great-grandson, Jake Messana of Parkland, Fla.; nieces, Collette Beck-Re (Eddie Re) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Sharon Marder (Harvey) of Boynton Beach, Fla., and many other dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Bernice E. Lane; cousin, Warren Rowe; half-brother, Thomas McDonnell; cousin, Kenneth Rowe; his beloved grandson, Scott A. Lane; and cousin, Amy Rowe Kucharski.

A private memorial service will be held for the family.