Arbor 'meant well in this world'

As prayer carrier, it was always his voice that ushered the souls of his Native American friends over to the spirit world.

But as Lance Arbor, 66, was laid to rest in a tribal burial ceremony Monday, it was someone else's turn to call out to the spirit world on behalf of one of the Nockamixon's community most dedicated public servants.

"He was very supportive of everything in Nockamixon and he will be missed," said Supervisor Chairwoman Nancy Janyszeski, who attended a private ceremony at Arbor's home on Thursday, following his death July 8.

A township resident for 33 years, Arbor was a mainstay of the community , often involved in township and school events.

Descended from the Shawnee and Mohawk tribes, Arbor was proud of his heritage, and was a member of the Native American Alliance of Bucks County.

"He joined his ancestors who went on before him and his best friend Grandfather Many Crows. His passing was swift and with eyes wide open seemingly to be looking toward the star path which he is now on," Nokomis Patterson, of the alliance, wrote friends upon Arbor's death.

The 1960 Neshaminy High School graduate worked as a building inspector and helped construct the addition to Nockamixon's municipal building.

Arbor died in his home three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

"He took (diagnosis) as well as I'd known any man to take it," said Supervisor Henry Gawronski, who noted Arbor went to the doctor complaining of a nagging cough and cold, but after tests he was told he did not have long to live.

Arbor was recently in the news for his role in a gas drilling case before the zoning hearing board.

Last fall, he was one of the three men who chose to make a ruling on a case that might clear the way for hundreds of natural gas wells in Nockamixon.

Even though each had privately signed gas leases with the plaintiff, Arbor and his fellow board members went forward with the hearings.

In a 2-1 vote, Arbor was the only member to side against the gas drilling company. He later expressed his regrets to the newspaper for initially signing a gas drilling lease.

The township supervisors will pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of Arbor at their meeting tonight.

"He was a nice person. He was different than the rest," said Gawronski, a longtime friend. "All in all, I think he meant well in this world."

Amanda Cregan can be reached at 215-538-6371 or acregan@phillyBurbs.com

July 15, 2009