Arthur Gustave William Pfaffko Jr., 81, of Land O’ Lakes, FL, passed away on August 12, 2026, surrounded by his three children and sister.
Arthur was born on March 15, 1945, in Waynesboro, PA to Rev. Canon Arthur Gustave William Pfaffko Sr. and Sarah Kathryn McClain. As the son of a former vicar of Calvary Chapel in Beartown, PA, Arthur was a devout Episcopalian and a dedicated servant of the Lord.
In his early years, he graduated from Waynesboro Senior High School in 1963 and worked as a milkman and maintenance man at Camp Wohelo for Girls. Then, he proudly served his country as a military policeman for four years in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany for two years. Upon his return, he was a life insurance salesman at Jefferson Standard.
Arthur’s career and interests took him around the country. He served as a fingerprint tech at the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in Washington, DC before moving to Florida in 1969 and devoting 30+ years to AT&T as a communications technician with his best friends, Bob Kelly and Jerry Eugenio. He then went on to pursue what could probably be described as his dream job: housesitting, where he expertly protected homes in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Washington, California, Maine, Virginia, and Vermont. At his Maine housesitting gig, he got to tag along on the snowplow, where he was in pure Christmas bliss, with pianist and snowplow extraordinaire, Bill Trowell, as they plowed their driveways, he even met author, Jeff Ryan, and got to serve as field support for his film.
Those who knew Arthur will remember him for his devotion to God, his family and country, and, of course, his classic sense of humor. He was particularly fond of spending Christmas in the snow, “taking his gun for a walk in the woods” during deer season, searching for Bigfoot, and setting up his beloved train set. He also had a keen interest in cameras, flashlights and quoting the movies, Patton and Oh God. Anytime the going got tough, he was there to say, “God has a plan.”
Arthur is survived by his children, Samantha Houle (Steve), Mary Pfaffko (Max), and Jim Mitchell (Sarahy); sister, Sarah Hauver; grandchildren, Chelsea Houle (Quincy), Megan Benson (Harold), Josh Houle (Julie), Bastet Mitchell, and James Mitchell; his niece, Gabriella Schultz (David), and nephew, Mark Singer (Angela); 12 great grandchildren; and 3 great nieces and a great nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Elwood Hauver.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Calvary Chapel, 13318 Mentzer Gap Rd. Waynesboro, PA. 17268, officiated by Father Rick Swanson. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, Saturday morning, in the church. Burial will follow at Calvary Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Arthur Pfaffko’s memory by clicking here. He cared deeply about giving children the opportunity for a better life and believed strongly in giving hope to those who need it the most.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, PA is handling the arrangements.
