Arthur Himmelfarb

Arthur Lee Himmelfarb was born on April 29, 1949 to Bella (nee Grossberg) and Martin Himmelfarb on West 140th Street in Manhattan. He passed on August 20, 2026 at home in Colonie, surrounded by his children. 

He is survived by his three children, Katie, Ben and Becky, their spouses Mark Parysz, Carolyn Fisher, and Jesse Husfelt, his beloved granddaughters, Frances Belle Fisher Himmelfarb and Sadie Jean Himmelfarb Parysz, and his brother, Stuart Himmelfarb, his sister-in-law, Debbie Himmelfarb, his nephew Eric Himmelfarb, Eric’s wife Kim Cohen, and his great-nieces, Betsy Dove and Billie Mia. He is also survived by Katie, Ben and Becky’s mother, Robin Goldman, to whom he always remained close. He had special love for his nieces, Lily and Davia Rabinoff-Goldman, their parents, Kenny and Anita, and his “bonus daughter”, Claire Aliza Rosen. 

Art’s parents were second generation owners and operators of a candy store in Hamilton Heights and he took great pride in his father’s work ethic and his mom’s devotion to caring for the aging members of the family.  His family moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey in the 1950s.  His love of a good diner remained with him through his last days.  Despite being a voracious reader and having a real mind for science and math, Art decided college was not for him.  He moved to Boston and attended the North Bennet Street School where he learned cabinet making.

After decades doing custom and commercial woodworking, he became a kitchen designer, combining his expertise in cabinetry and furniture building with his skill for laying out a functional space.  There are many people in the Capital Region who are enjoying a deluxe, thoughtfully designed kitchen --the most important room in the house--thanks to Art.

Art loved cars, science, reading, crossword puzzles, diners, smoked salmon, herring in cream, and most of all babies. He loved his own children and their children the most. 

Art was a great hang, full of stories, jokes, and had a surprising depth of knowledge on a wide range of subjects. His goals in life were to be content with what you have and to support and love your family in every way possible. He strongly believed that if you were going to do a project, it should be done the right way with quality and attention. 

A funeral service will take place at Levine Memorial Chapel (649 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206) on Sunday, August 23rd at 1:00 pm. All are welcome. Finally, Art loved animals, especially old dogs.  Donations in his memory can be made to the ASPCA, of which he was a longtime supporter.   

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