'Arthur Webb: From My Eyes': Local Man Remembers Late Cousin

LINDENHURST, NY — A local resident penned an emotional letter in honor of a Lindenhurst musician who died last week from coronavirus.

Artie Webb, who graduated from Lindenhurst High School in 1990, passed away last Tuesday. Several fellow alums took to social media to express their condolences.

Recently, Webb's cousin, Anthony Botiglione shared a heartfelt letter in his memory. Botiglione said their relationship was more like "brothers or best friends."

Check out his full letter below:

Arthur Webb, from my eyes.

Right from the start, this little chubby toddler would bring a smile to everyone who laid eyes on him, that smile and that laugh was a sweet tickle to your heart. As he learned to speak, my gosh the words that would come from his mouth, back then in the early 70s it was a little more relaxed if you will.

As soon as he learned to walk he wanted to be behind the wheel of every and any truck he could get into. Our Uncle Billy Buckley had a body shop, “Bill and son” auto body, and so there would be a tow truck outside of the Jackson Ave. home [where the] Buckley’s resided and still do to this day. He would sit in that truck, no exaggeration, all day long making believe he was a truck driver.

He loved to be around the strong men in the family like his beloved uncle Tony Botiglione (my father), as they were all characters and that’s where the fun was. We were the quintessential hard-working Italian family with all elders tough as nails and strict upbringing, and all together every week, sometimes every day.

[Me] and Arthur were close from birth and never stopped. When most people think of my cousin, they think "music" or the "Jets football" and although this is true, most do not realize that as a kid his first love was "Rocky." We had to watch that movie 2x a day every weekend as we spent every weekend together as kids, taking turns on whose house we slept at.

Rocky was a huge part of not only Arthur’s childhood but persona as well. The underdog, the heart, perseverance, and stamina all became an outline for his life.

There was a restaurant “Stallones” in Lindenhurst back in the late 70’s in which Sylvester Stallone’s brother owned and Arthur, of course, frequented. I remember he wrote a letter to them about what a Rocky fan he was. Would you believe it? They called him to come down to the restaurant and they gave him a beautiful gold leaf framed photo of Rocky and personally signed by Sylvester Stallone. This "trophy" hung on the wall proudly for years.

Then the world came to a halt because his brother Westley (1 of 2 brothers) introduced him to what would pave his love for music “The Beatles.” I mean this literally sent him on a path, collecting every album, t-shirt, collectable, biography, and any available obtainable merchandise.

Next up was his third love "The Blues Brothers" this became our cult classic. From the clothes, speech, demeanor, and, oh yes, that music. He knew every line of that movie and modeled himself around it. He had to have the suit, glasses, hat, watch, everything and now sit outside in the car making believe he was Jake and I got to be Elwood. As adults, this never ended.

We’re 17 years old, in my car 1973 Buick le sabre (makeshift blues mobile) and we’re south of Montauk Highway on E. Riviera, there’s a tiny bridge for the canal and we stopped 200 feet from it. Arthur looks at me, I look at him, he says “hit it” and we proceeded to jump that bridge full throttle. Upon landing, smashed my oil pan, 2 shocks, radiator and lost all my hub caps. Not the smartest thing we’ve ever done.

Recently we attended the Blues Brothers concert and won “best dressed” as we researched every detail and were picked by Dan Akroyd and James Belushi, even better is…we got to meet them.

The highlight of Arthur’s life was the marriage to his beautiful wife Jennifer on June 5, 1993 which they performed by his beautiful mother, Julia's, bedside as she lay sick from cancer. Later [they had a] proper wedding celebration.

Arthur’s mother Julia was his biggest hero by far, as she was to many of our family members. Arthur and Jennifer had 2 beautiful children Caitlyn and Ian to carry the family name. Nothing of this earth was more important nor filled his huge heart than these 3 that he is survived by. The pride in which he spoke of his family is the actual definition of happiness and we should all be so lucky.

Next, I would like to talk about football. This kid had to play football every time we went outside, mostly it was 1-on-1 in the front yard of his South 7th St, home. Sometimes his brothers and occasional friend would join in. I still remember his first helmet his mother Julia and father Artie got him for Christmas. [He got a] white Jets helmet, and he says “look Ant, you see it says Riddell” this was the brand the NFL used and his hero on the field #73 Joe Klecko which never changed, my cousin carried the torch for Klecko his entire life, even getting to meet him on several occasions.

Arthur and his best friend Scott Mullery (the current chant leader for the New York Jets) along with their partner Tom Fisher became well known throughout the Jets community as “The noise Boyz”. The media loves the Boyz, all tv, newspapers, fan clubs, social media and mostly the new York Jets themselves use their faces everywhere, even on the season tickets. Just Google the new York Jets and you’re bound to see a picture of him.

Now for the music. Yes the Beatles started it, then he found Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Who, and many more which led him to guitar lessons and even though he’d play, he never excelled and we all found out why. You see, Art would come see me play in the 90’s and he really loved it. He was so proud of me and became buddies with all my bandmates who love him to this day. We really excelled in the local music scene and Arthur was with me always. After my band broke up I played with various musicians and well… we needed a bass player. So I called Arthur and said you gotta play bass. He laughed and said I don’t know bass, I didn’t care so I went to the music store and bought him a bass guitar and amplifier. Well, we jammed for about a month and I had to give it up due to work but he kept playing and playing, bouncing around from band to band, getting better and better. Fast forward and he's mixing it up with some of the most well known musicians and they’re actually requesting him. Well, he was in my audience and now I was in his. My cousin ended up the real rock star and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Once upon a time I was his hero and now he is mine! So proud of my cousin/brother Arthur.

Most people know my cousin as this big tough funny guy who loves the Jets and music. The family knows him as this beautiful little boy with the best laugh, carrying on the family traditions passed down from his parents, siblings, and elders. Showing the world that the biggest men also have the biggest hearts.

We will all miss you forever and will keep you alive in our daily lives as we walk through the path of life proudly waving your flag.

Proudly , your cousin Anthony Botiglione.