Fare Thee Well Art Armstrong
Art Armstrong, I’m not dead yet.
Last week I got a call from our old pal Art Armstrong. You know, not that Art. Art. Many of you—and us—have known Art since the very beginning of WoodyBoater, and you know his hijinks, his sense of fun, and his ability to make just about anything more entertaining.
Art and his Grandfather
As an icon of the Michigan Gang, Art was the guy who coined the phrase “Where It All Began,” the motto of the Algonac area. Art, his father, and the generations before them are part of the texture of Chris-Craft history. Their lives are woven into the image we all have of what Chris-Craft is about. Art lived on Harsens Island his entire life, and his boat, Molly O, was a fixture in the classic boat universe. She was lettered at the factory and, for the most part, never left the area.
Except for that little exit to Reedville. OH.
Over the past couple of years, Art has slowed down a bit and started getting his things in order. And, as you would expect, he has done it with a sense of humor and a remarkably realistic and transparent way of looking at things. This is who Art is. So it was no surprise when I heard the topic of Art’s call. His end of life. WHAT?
How does one respond to a call like that? Well, in our case… LAUGH. We laughed a lot. We talked for more than a half hour, joking around, telling stories, and talking about the reality of it all. And the fact that there really isn’t another option. After all, we all share the same destination.
But Art is exiting our world in his own way.
He has planned his memorial service at his house on Harsens Island. He has written his final thoughts with his granddaughter. He is facing this the same way he has faced so much of life—with honesty, humor, and absolutely no need to pretend that things are something they aren’t.
Note the regristration number.
He asked me to tell the community. His eyesight is not good, and he is dealing with kidney and heart issues. He has been given somewhere between two weeks and two months. This story has taken me a little time to write.
Because I want to crack jokes. Art wants me to crack jokes. That’s who we are. But there is something else here, too.
Art is one of those people who became part of the fabric of this community without any of us really noticing it happen. He was simply there. Part of the stories. Part of the history. Part of the laughter. Part of what made this strange, wonderful classic boat world feel like a family instead of just a bunch of people who own old boats.
And when someone like that tells you he is getting ready to leave, you suddenly realize just how much space they occupied in your life. Art has been part of Where It All Began for a very long time. And now, he is writing the final chapter. Arts grandfather on the cover
The house with the flag is the house in that brochure
Art said: “From Where It All Began, this is how it ends.” His words.
I think someone will read this to him, so use the comments for what they’re meant for. Tell him a story.
Tell him he was an asshole. Tell him you loved him. Tell him about the time he made you laugh. Tell him what Molly O meant to you. Tell him what Art meant to this community.
Because this time, we don’t have to wait until afterward to say the nice things. We can say them now. And somehow, I think that’s exactly how Art would want it. Fare thee well, old friend. And thank you for helping make this place—and all of us—a little more fun. From Where It All Began.
Well Art, you beat me on Woodyboater this morning.
You and Moly-O are and always will be a part of the Michigan gang. You will always make me smile when going through the Grand Poinr cut!
Fair seas my friend.
Man, the Michigan gang will do anything to promote the Port Huron Show. Ok fine we will attend.
One of the best in Michigan , Art. Gave me wrong directions twice, to the same place. Don’t ask why I went back to ask again because I don’t know. I think he gave the impression he knew what he was talking about.
Best comment ever.
I have often thought that it is a shame that we don’t share our kind words and memories while folks are with us and only home that they can read, hear, and feel the love that is shared once they are gone.
Art I don’t recall ever meeting in person, but you are truly a “brother from another mother”. We may have met in passing or some other trivial moment that went unnoticed, but you have positively effected my life and all of us here in our little universe.
Keep smiling!
Love Troy
I remember meeting Art back in the mid ‘80’s at Peter Henkel’s marina when I was 18 for the first time. He ask Peter, “who’s this skinny shit working on your boat?” We all laughed and from then on he always had some funny comment to say. It’s been a long time ago, take care Captain
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
This was my fathers favorite , a 1889 poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
God Bless you Art.
Frank Eggert
Falmouth Virginia
Dear Art,
Thank you for being part of the “fabric of our lives”, so to speak.
“Where it all Began” and you, will always be part of both WoodyBoater and our hobby.
Calm seas and good boating for you Art!
Thank you!
Bob
I remember meeting you in the WB tent when Matt said, “You two have a lot in common.” We traded Detroit jokes and Big-3 stories for an hour. Drive on Brother!
I didn’t know the man …but came to love him just this day. Fair winds Art and calm seas….it is misting up on my end….John in Va
Well, Art, what do I say. Our family is probably waved at you hundreds of times going through the Grand point cut (98% of the time you waved back ) and stopped a few dozen times to see you and Jamie. I’m so sorry that your vacation near us on Gun Lake was cut short as I was really looking forward to taking you and your family for a ride on Delta Lady. It’s not been the same driving through the Grand point cut and not seeing you there but we value our friendship and our love of voting. Thank you for all of your advice over the years. You and Janie are very special people and Joyce and I always love seeing you.
Like Matt, I couldn’t find an honest line of work and spent my career in advertising. That includes writing a few thousand headlines and dozens of taglines. (Including that headline you shared, Troy, that Matt used in his beautiful Woody Boater campaign.) But “Where it all began” is as good a tagline as can be written. So you’re an honorary Mad Man. I’ve never met you, Art, but I wish I had. My toast to a full and wonderful life, and a graceful, heartfelt end to it all. We should all be so lucky.
One of the wonderful things about Woodboaterville is that I got to know Art ( yes, that Art) and Molly-O through stories about both of them and his various comments, insights and tools he’s shared over time. Every time someone mentions art anywhere, my funny brain always thinks, “not that Art” and I smile. By the way, I found this photo of Molly-O in a Wooden Boat calendar from 1993. Not sure if Art ever saw this.
Art, you are a pillar of Woodyboater and have left a legacy in your wake. I know you will be talked about in Woodyboaterville for years and years and years to come. Peace and Love,
Brock
I don’t believe we’ve ever met in person, but ! have enjoyed your presence here in WoodyBoaterville. Props to you, Art! Due to my dad’s situation, I’ve been thinking a lot on facing the end. His, as well as my own, when each our day comes. You’re going about this in what I’ve come to believe is the best way – with acknowledgment of reality, grace & humor. May you have only calm waters ahead.
Matt’s story was pure Art. Yes that kind of art about Art.
We are all lucky to have Art here on WB. And we should all have an Art in our own world. Thanks Art for being a happy part of our world.
Art, I never had the opportunity or to honor you or shake your hand, but I feel like I am losing another friend, thanks to “Mad Man” Matt and WB.
Thank you for sharing your decision with us, it’s all about quality of life…and you are helping us realize that.
My good friend Steve left us July 5th, with the same decision. My wife the same way three years ago. Thank you, you have earned more respect, and it gives me the opportunity to mourn them.
You will have Fair winds, calm waters, and a well earned peacefulness in your final chapter of your book of life.
Hey Art
When I bought Tradition in 2019, you’ll recall I had to wait 2 years to show her due to Covid. The first opportunity I had to show her was in 2021 at the Michigan Chapter’s “Where it all began” in Algonac. I was told that there was a guy named Art Armstrong who was part of the original “Michigan Gang” who owned the Molly-O (Tradition’s sister ship). One of the seven 1939 24′ Deluxe Utilities that Chris Craft first produced in the summer of 1938. I was also warned that this “Art Armstrong”, took great pride in Molly-O and her history. . . So much so, that he had a tendancy to “take barbs” at Tradition’s legacy (the first of those seven boats produced). I was told you would call her a replicated boat vs a restored boat due to all of Russ Arrund’s hard work back in 2009-2011. So being a novice to the antique boat world and a believer in the philosophy of keeping your friends close but your “antagonists” closer, I reached out to you to better understand both of our boat’s histories and your perspective on Tradition. I found you to be nothing short of a cornacopia of knowledge on the history of both of our boats as well as the industry and ACBS as a whole. Not only did you welcome me to this new stewardship but you openly acknowledged that while Tradition has new skin she’s definately still a restoration.
Having the Molly-O and our Tradition docked side by side at the show where they were produced 83 years earlier, will always be a highlight in my ownership of this antique boat. And while I was a bit apprehensive of your “meddling” with the judges during their review of Tradition at the show, I came to greatly respect your character and demeanor when Tradition not only took Best in Class but also Best in Show at the 2021 “Where it All Began”!
Since then, I enjoyed our many discussions about our boats and always looked forward to our next time together. I was saddened when you called me to tell me you were selling Molly-O. But I am far sadder today! Thank you for your friendship and for your lifetime stewardship of such an icon. Forever peace and calm waters my friend.
Having never met Art except through the mutual friendship we all share through this “methodology” I was hesitant to make any comments that could be misconstrued. But then I thought, you know seems like Art is always wanting attention with his shenanigans and maybe he’s just being the “class clown”, you all know the one person in your class that was vying for attention through his (or her) actions. So maybe running into the reeds with “Molly O” was another way for him to get attention because having that rare Chris of his in the Michigan gang was only going so far. I mean how do you run off channel when you’ve spent decades plying that waterway, and then claim it was a rogue wake. Then he had to start selling and giving away hardware to get more attention, and putting up “Molly O” for sale to elicit even more drama to get our sympathies and now this. I think its just another means to gather his friends and celebrate, (might even be some alcohol involved, I’ll drink to that). Let’s hope and pray this is not “where it all ends”.
Hello Art! You may or may not remember that we met through Tommy Neff in Port Huron in the early early 80’s A long distance friendship meeting each other not so often… I may not be far behind you,so please meet me on the dock up there!!!
Ken
The same can be said about old boats and old men – built with character, shaped by time, and something worth remembering long after…
Calm seas ahead, Art.
Art yeas that Art. I’ve never met you. I think I saw you at Algonac 2022 Where it all began. I have always enjoyed your comments on Woody Boater. They are always upbeat and funny. Happy boating, my friend, it’s always good to hear your comments.
I met Art one day after the famous “channel” incident that Matt so graciously publicized. He laughed about the whole incident which to me embodied the “sh-t happens” attitude that we have in our hobby/sport. Wishing you warm breezes and following seas.
I met Art the day after the famous “channel” incident that Matt so graciously publicized. He laughed about the whole thing which to me embodied the whole “sh-t happens” attitude that we have in our hobby.
Wishing you warm breezes and following seas!
Dang – sorry for the double post.
⚓️
Hi Art, I only know about meeting you one time, at an algonac Boat Show where you gave me a ‘factory reject’ Woody Boater coffee mug, and we talked a bit and traded some stories about Harsens Island. After that I always looked for you when going through Grand Cut. You are a gentleman and a scholar and have definitely left your mark on this world! You won’t be forgotten… May the wind and the current be at your back forever.
Art, i don’t know you but i do, we aren’t friends but i know we would be. Molly O is like my Clipper without a cabin. i once seriously thought about cutting the cabin top off because of Molly O and you…..and i still might. Bon Voyage friend.
Hi Art, I’m the gal with the 23ft 1956 CC Continental that began waving to you and Janie in 2021 when we purchased the Susie Craft III. I have always loved CCs and your Molly O. You & Janie were gracious to loan me some books when I came knocking at your door, to learn more about them! You gave me tips about traversing the GP Cut to make sure I didnt damage my beautiful boat. I always looked for you to come out or wave when you heard the engine rumble as I passed. I didnt see the Molly O when I went by this July and now I know why. God Speed you to you next journey and know you made a difference here!
Art,
Like many, I never got to meet you in person. I got into the wooden boat world a little late in life, not many shows or get togethers that I’ve been able to attend and possible bump into you. I did ride by your place on a boat ride that Greg gave my wife and I. What a wonderful place to grow up on and to live life. You truly, from outward appearance, have lived a blessed life. I pray it is well with your soul. Dan