FARMINGTON – Arthur C. “Art” Ridley, 72, of Wilton, died Tuesday, June 26, at Franklin Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

He was born Oct. 22, 1934, in Farmington, a son of Daniel and Evelyn (Robbins) Ridley. He received his education in Wilton schools and was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force.

On April 24, 1965, he married Patricia “Patty” Crafts in North Jay. He was employed at Norwock Shoe Co. and K & H Foster, before becoming self-employed in the late 60s when he started L & A Ridley Logging.

He was a life member of the Lane Dube AMVETS Post 33 of Jay, a member of Hosmer Edwards American Legion Post, and was a former member of the Wilton Fire Department. His hobby was his work. He loved being in the great outdoors. Although he enjoyed fishing and hunting, particularly bird hunting, it was a hobby that allowed him the privilege of getting together with his friends, where together, they could enjoy the woods.

He especially enjoyed sharing time with his family and welcoming friends at his Sand Pond camp, where he could be found with a Coors Light in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He also enjoyed cutting ice and began a family tradition of baking bean-hole beans at camp. He also traveled extensively and was proud to have visited every state in this country as well as all of the Canadian provinces.

He is survived by his wife, Patty of Wilton; two sons, Bruce Ridley, and his wife, Colleen, of Tomahawk, Wis., and Ronald, and his wife, Sherry, of North Jay; three sisters, Doris LaPlante, and her husband, Lyle, of North Jay, Rachel LePage of Oneco, Fla., and Mildred Knights, and her husband, Ken, of Oxford; four grandchildren, Matthew Ridley, and his wife, Colette and Katie, Marcus and Corey Ridley; two stepgrandchildren, Andrew Hinkley and Craig Hinkley; and one great-grandson, Micah Ridley.

He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Joyce Wright Ridley in 1963; a baby sister, Velma; and a brother, Lewis Ridley.