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Arthur Henshey Moss, 82, lawyer

Arthur Henshey Moss, 82, of Wayne, who practiced law in Philadelphia for 40 years, died Thursday, May 9, of complications from pneumonia at his home.

Arthur H.Moss
Arthur H.MossRead more

Arthur Henshey Moss, 82, of Wayne, who practiced law in Philadelphia for 40 years, died Thursday, May 9, of complications from pneumonia at his home.

Before retiring in 2000, Mr. Moss spent four decades with the firm of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads. He started as an associate and became a partner.

Mr. Moss was a corporate and securities lawyer whose specialty was municipal finance. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers.

The firm's chairman, Richard L. Scheff, said Mr. Moss would be remembered as a quiet man who knew how to "brighten your day" as well as for his legal acumen.

"He'd walk down the hall, and Art would have a serious look on his face," Scheff said. "As soon as he noticed you, he'd get a smile on his face and tell you a funny story."

Scheff said Mr. Moss was a caring man who came at the end of an era in which social interaction was not curtailed by technology.

"He was a window for us, back into the way people ought to treat each other," Scheff said.

Born in Reading and raised in Wyomissing, Pa., he was the son of John Arthur and Christine Henshey Moss.

Mr. Moss received his bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1952 and his law degree in 1955 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as the editor of the law review.

"He didn't think that was a big deal, but I did," said his wife, Leslie "Chessie" Fritz Moss.

He was admitted to the bar in 1956.

After graduating, he entered officer training school in Rhode Island with the Navy. In 1956, he became a lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He served in Japan for three years. He joined the Navy Reserve and was honorably discharged in February 1964.

Imbued with a passion for civic service, he was a trustee of the Radnor Memorial Library, a director of the Radnor Historical Society, chairman of the Radnor-Haverford-Marple Sewer District, and treasurer and member of the board of directors for John Bartram Association, the organization that oversees Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia.

"There's nothing that he loved more than doing things for the community," his wife said. "I've gotten many cards saying he will be missed in Radnor."

Mr. Moss was active in the Wayne Presbyterian Church as a chair of the pastoral search committee, steward, deacon, ruling elder, and trustee. He served as treasurer and chairman of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

In private life, he enjoyed reading history, fly-fishing, gardening, and acting as a home chef.

"He loved to cook entrées that were so involved, it was ridiculous. Four hours in the kitchen, can you imagine?" his wife said. Heeding his example, his children are skilled cooks, she said.

He married Barbara Wong in 1960. They later divorced and she has since died.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 31 years, are sons Benjamin McTyiere Gaston 4th, Herbert Peter Gaston, John Arthur Moss, David Rittenhouse Gaston, and Robert Fritz Gaston; 13 grandchildren; and two sisters.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, Pa. 19087. Interment is private.

Donations may be made to the Wayne Presbyterian Church music program.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.stuardfuneralhome.com.