Arthur V. Bates Sr. died on Nov. 16, 2010, at the age of 94.

He was born on Jan. 16, 1916 in New Haven, Conn., the only child of Beulah and Arthur Dixon Bates. He attended Lincoln University in Lincoln, Pa., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1937. In 1940, he received a juris doctor degree from the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. and, in 1953, attained a master of law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

In World War II Arthur rose to the rank of lieutenant and received a Bronze Star. After returning from the war, he moved to New York city in 1947 where he met and later married Ruthann Brennan in 1949. From this union were born their only two children, Jean and Arthur V. Bates Jr.

Arthur was known as one of the original “Harlem Lawyers” in New York city. He was in private practice for many years, including three years as a named partner in the firm of Chis-holm, Bates and Murray. In 1967 he accepted a position as head attorney of the Brooklyn office of the Legal Aid Society. He worked there as a matrimonial specialist until his retirement in 1985.

Arthur was a devoted husband, father and friend. His passions were his music and his Oak Bluffs home on the Vineyard. He was an accomplished pianist throughout his life and played for pleasure at home and in several neighborhood restaurants. He and his family vacationed on the Vineyard since 1963 and he became summer resident there in 1976, when he purchased his Victorian cottage. Arthur enjoyed many hours sitting on the porch reading and socializing with friends and neighbors. He continued to vacation there until his death.

In 2008 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Pioneering Leadership in the Legal Profession from the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. He was a member of the National Bar Association, the Black Lawyers Association, Brooklyn Legal Services, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Sigma Boule, and the Comus Club. Arthur was a founding member of the Lincoln Civic Block Association and served as its president from 1971 through 1974.

He is survived by his daughter, Jean Bates-Curzio, his son in law, Carmine Curzio, and his son, Arthur V. Bates Jr., as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of treasured friends and colleagues.

He will be sorely missed by all the lives he touched.