Arthur F. Card, 57

NEW HAMPTON — Arthur “Art” Frank Card, 57 years young, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, unexpectedly from a cardiac incident near his home in New Hampton, NH.

Art owned and operated the furniture and home furnishings business Cozy Cabin Rustics for nearly 20 years, with current stores in Plymouth and Meredith and in prior years also in Lincoln and Tilton. He proudly sourced and sold locally and USA-made furniture, art, crafts, and home decor. Art had a strong appreciation for nature and for the craftspeople who could make things out of objects in nature. He had a knack for making connections, and he inspired and encouraged the creativity in others. His unique sense of humor endeared him to everyone. Art had a funny story about nearly everything, and if you ever had an encounter with him at one of his stores you left with your own story.

Art grew up in New Hampshire in the lakes and mountains which forged his loved for and knowledge of nature. He lived an adventurous life, learning to cook in New Orleans as a very young man and making a living in the restaurant industry. He met and married his wife of 29 years in Franconia Notch. Together they travelled and explored the world, she working for the airlines and Art being a serial entrepreneur of a number of small businesses that focused on crafts, jewelry, furniture, and art.

Human-powered recreation was his passion, and Art was outside in nature every day. He loved to cross-country and backcountry ski in the winter, and in the summer, he kayaked, swam, hiked, and rode his bike daily. Art knew the forests, lakes, and streams around New Hampshire and Maine well, where he often ventured out solo to get his daily exercise, but also with his wife Lori and a handful of his closest friends for longer explorations. Art did everything at full bore — he was a machine — and those who adventured with him knew it was going to be a workout. If you were on his text list, you could count on getting images of the incredible views and the animals he encountered on his regular outings. These adventures provided the daily wellness he needed to be healthy and manage the stresses of being a small business owner, and they forged life-long friendships.

Art was a sucker for an Old Town Canoe and other small wooden sailboats, and he bought, sold, and collected many over the years. Like a human catalog, he knew and could quickly recall the many designs and the historical and practical significance of each. Some were show pieces in his stores, but most were kept at home for paddling on special occasions on the pond. And Art made every time a special occasion.

Music was another of Art’s passions. He had an extensive collection and his knowledge of rock and blues rivaled that of any late-night FM radio DJ. Art loved his family and closest friends, and among those friends were his pet birds, rabbit, fish, cats, dogs,and other critters. He was a gentle and kind soul that often preferred the company of animals and made a life surrounded by them. But he also had a soft spot for the downtrodden and those dealt a tough hand by life, and he discreetly gave second chances and helped to make connections for those working to get their lives back on track.

Art had a BIG heart. If you were fortunate enough to experience dinner at Art’s home you were guaranteed laughter, amazing and abundant food, a great soundtrack of music, many Art stories describing his home treasures and personal travels, jokes, and of course some human powered adventure of skiing or hiking, and an after-dinner paddle in his glass-bottom boat on the pond.

Art was predeceased by his father, Arthur Card II, his mother, Sylvia Card, and his beloved cat, Bella.

He is survived by his wife, life and business partner, Lori Card; his cousin, Mike Card; his sister, Audrey Card-Keeler; his cousin, Joe Pitman and other extended family; and dear friends, all whose lives are better for having known him. He is sorely missed, and his influence, kindness, character, and legacy live in those fortunate to have known him.

A private service will be held.

Donations can be made to: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Business Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, https://wildlife.state.nh.us/funding/donate.html; or American Heart Association, 300 5th Avenue Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451, Heart.org.