Arthur Mauriz

Arthur Mauriz, 94, of Bethlehem, passed away on Friday, February 22, 2008 at Blough Health Care Center. He was born in Philadelphia and was the son of the late Joseph and Frances Gutierrez Mauriz. Arthur was the beloved husband of Anna Rudnicki who passed away in December 2005. They were married for 66 years.

Arthur worked for 41 years at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in the Forge Specialty Department before retiring as General Foreman in 1978. He was a member of Our Lord's Ascension Polish National Catholic Church of Bethlehem. Arthur served on the church council as treasurer, trustee and the Financial Secretary for twenty years. He was enthusiastic about the game of soccer, learning the game in the early 1920's on a Bethlehem Steel parking lot located next to his father's small grocery store in South Bethlehem. Arthur began his organized soccer career with the Hungarian Midgets, making numerous trips to New York City to play the game. He went on to play for Bethlehem High School and was the leading scorer in his senior year. He continued his playing career with Hispano F.C. in the Lehigh Valley Soccer League. In 1932 he signed with the Rovers F.C. He moved on in 1933 to play for Portugal F.C., which won the Wilber Cup. He played with several other teams, in National Cup competition and was selected to All-Star teams in Bethlehem, Reading, and Philadelphia before ending his playing career with the Wanderers in the County League. After a forty-year absence from soccer, he returned in 1983 to coach the Wanderers youth team. He helped coach the Eagle Hotel youth teams up until 1986 winning several Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League Championships. In 1996 Arthur was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Soccer Hall Of Fame in recognition for his lifelong interest and contributions to the development of soccer in the Lehigh Valley.

He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by: daughters, Lorna, wife of Michael Brown, and Linda, wife of Alexander Sahaydak Jr., grandson Alexander Mauriz Sahaydak and wife Gretchen, great grandchildren, A. Olivia Sahaydak and Alexander Teagan Sahaydak, grandson Todd Arthur Brown and wife Meg, great grand daughter, Courtney Erin Brown, grandson, Ryan Michael Brown and Nikki Mowbray, grandson, Timothy David Mauriz Sahaydak and wife Tiffany and a great grand daughter to be. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Anna, and sister, Felicia Mauriz Ceballos.

Contributions may be made to the church memorial fund in Arthur's name.