Patrick Artur, defense lawyer in Phila., 67

Patrick J. Artur, 67, a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia for 40 years, died of lung cancer Monday, July 8, at PennMedicine Hospice at Rittenhouse. He had fought the disease for three years.

"He died as he lived to the last moment - with wisdom, humor, courage, and grace," his family said in a statement.

He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature at La Salle College in 1967 and a law degree from Temple University in 1973.

He taught at Father Judge High School for a short time before becoming an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. Mr. Artur then went into private practice as a criminal defense lawyer with an office on North 18th Street in Philadelphia after a stint with another law firm.

His most notable case involved the MOVE organization, said his wife, Simone Schlichting-Artur.

Mr. Artur represented one of a half-dozen police officers questioned by a grand jury in 1986 as part of District Attorney Ronald D. Castille's effort to determine whether any officials had committed criminal misconduct during the fatal May 13, 1985, confrontation with MOVE members.

The police action that day led to the deaths of six adults and five children and the destruction of 61 homes.

In private life, he loved dogs and adopted four of them from the street or an animal shelter.

"One little one he found tied to a pole during a hurricane," his wife said. "When he became ill, the dogs kept him alive by giving him a purpose."

A recovering alcoholic, he did volunteer work in AA, and enjoyed traveling, cooking, and driving cars and riding motorcycles.

He and his wife met in 1981 in Spain while on vacation. They married in 1983 and lived in Philadelphia for the last 30 years.

His first wife was the former Lee Bernstein, from whom he was divorced. They had a son.

Surviving, besides his wife, are son Anthony; daughter Chantal; two grandchildren; a sister; two nieces; and a nephew.

Memorial services are 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to the Humane Society of the United States via www.humanesociety.org.