Art Pozzi passes at 84: Fond memories of C.O. lumber mill pioneer

Bend lumber mill pioneer Arthur “Art” Pozzi was laid to rest Sunday, a week after his passing at age 84. Stepdaughter Lisa Coats Taylor, who worked for him for 15 years, shared with us some of her fond memories about a humanitarian who cared greatly for his family, workers and others along the way.

The British Columbia native arrived in Central Oregon in 1968 and bought Lee Millworks, renamed Bend Millwork Systems. A decade later, he added Pozzi Windows, which grew to become one of the largest window makers on the West Coast.

Pozzi sold Bend Millwork Systems to Nortek Inc. in 1986 when it was the largest employer in the region, at more than 1,400 people. Nortek later sold the business to Jeld-Wen, which kept the Pozzi name on its business for several years.

Here’s how Coats Taylor recalls her stepfather, his role in business and his generous nature:

March 26, 2016, Central Oregon and the lumber industry lost a great man. Arthur A. Pozzi passed away at home. He was the former owner of Bend Millwork, Pozzi Windows. After he sold that place, he opened up a little mill to keep him occupied during retirement, Oregon Woodworking Company.

My mother was determined to keep him at home until his last day and she did just that. So was committed to him and his care. My mother and Arthur shared a sweet love, and he took us three children in, showing us love immediately. Arthur was as much of a family man as he was a workaholic.

He also had an amazing care-giver, Scott Lanning. My husband and I were a big part of caring for him also. While not knowing many people, at the very end, he still knew my siblings, my mother, and myself. I always said to him, “my job is to care for you and that consists of smothering you in love.” He would always smile and say, “isn’t that wonderful?”

Arthur was born in Canada, becoming a US Citizen right around his 70th. birthday. He studied so hard for the citizenship test, having myself, a few of the girls in the office, and of course my mother help him study. Finally the day arrived, he was ready to take his oath and test. (We who helped him study were too headed over to Portland. Excited, yet very nervous for the test while also looking forward to the judicial ceremony.

The best part was when he returned home, he was annoyed, “I studied so hard for that damn test and I wasn’t asked but one question.” He was hilarious, having us all laughing. Not just for a day either. He carried on about it for a while.

Arthur started out as a whistle punk at a mill on Vancouver Island. Eventually they moved him into the office, training him as a lumber trader, before long he was the senior lumber trader for North America. With much knowledge under his belt. he decided to make a move, leaving Canada for the US as there was more opportunity, opening up his own brokerage firms.

In the late ’60s, he purchased Lee Millwork from Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee agreed to sell it for $1 plus a percentage of the profit. Arthur steamed ahead, making Mr. Lee lots of money while also providing many well paying jobs for Central Oregonians. In 1986 he sold Bend Millwork/Pozzi Windows.

While his intent was to retire after the selling of the business, he was already preparing to open another mill, Oregon Woodworking Company, making door jambs. He spent his time focusing on OWWC for 15 years until finally being forced to close the doors due to the price of lumber and the imports killing the US industry.

While AP had a strong faith, I made a joke yesterday, “Arthur’s bible was a legal size, yellow note pad.” They were and still are everywhere in his home and I once in a while will find one at mine.

Throughout my years of working for him I often heard individuals say, “Arthur is to the lumber industry that Les Schwab is to the tire industry.” During his time of being a business owner, he employed thousands of people throughout the years in our community, while also having businesses in other cities and-or states.

Arthur was many things, but what comes to mind mostly is a humanitarian. He did so much for other people, especially his employees and the community of Central Oregon. Always encouraging his employees ‘if they are given the opportunity to open their own business, do it,’ while helping many of them do so.

I worked for Arthur for nearly 15 years. I was the purchasing agent and Arthur would always stress to me, “Purchase as much as you can locally to support our community.”

Today I was speaking with one of our old vendors. He reminded me of a story that exudes the humanitarian Arthur was.

“Remember the Summer when Arthur wanted you to buy all of those box fans? I told you there was no way Oregon woodworking company needed 30 box fans, (and we already had a gazillion of them) regardless of how hot it is outside.” I told him, ‘They get stolen.’ However, Arthur doesn’t care, he knows people can’t afford them so they disappear.”

Not only was Arthur buying those box fans to keep people comfortable while working, he was OK with the fact they disappeared. He said, “They need them at home, it’s okay.”

Another employee got caught stealing propane on more than one occasion. It was wintertime. The supervisor wanted to terminate the individual, Arthur told him he was not allowed to do that: “It is cold outside, that man needs heat. It’s okay.”

Arthur did many great things for this community and for his employees. People were a priority to him. If there was ever a problem with an employee not showing up for work, Arthur would always send me out to their house to check on them. Happened many times, more times than I can count.

I personally bought groceries for a few employees per Arthur. He paid dental bills for employees. Bought a dog for a gentleman who lost his cat of 20 years. Gave money to individuals who wanted to start up their own business. Helped some purchase a home.

When Arthur learned we had an employee/lady who was going to New York City, he made sure and got her tickets to a Broadway play while also giving her money for a fancy dinner so she could take her son out whom she was visiting.

Accommodating individuals who weren’t able to perform their job duties due to health restrictions. Arthur worked with those individuals where other companies would have let them go. Can’t work a full shift–no problem. Need to have Fridays off–no problem.

At one point, when we weren’t even hiring, Arthur walked into the front office, individuals were filling out job applications, he immediately had somebody come find me (as I did human resources the last four years.) He told me, “I want you to hire them.” I replied “Arthur, we aren’t hiring right now. We don’t need any more employees.” His response, “but they need us, they need a job.” Needless to say, we hired them.

One Christmas Eve, Arthur made an anonymous donation to our church. It was that evening while at mass/the sermon, we learned the church staff was all stressed out during the day, fearful, knowing they were not going to have enough money to fill the baskets for the needy. The sermon was about giving, and how God works. It was because of Arthur’s donation they had received earlier in the day they were allowed to fill the baskets for the needy.

We knew who the priest was speaking of. My family and I sat at the pews, tears in our eyes, feeling so proud, knowing Father was speaking of our Arthur, however, he did not want the recognition, he wanted to help the people. It is what he did best.

This is just a tip of the iceberg. Arthur was an incredible man who shared his generosity and his success with so many others. For me, I feel it is important I share some of the personal and special acts he did for people. He was so much more then a man who represented the lumber industry. He was also a man that represented the people. They were his priority.

A few years after retiring, he and my mom would head down south to Southern California and Arthur take up golfing. He loved the comic strips, would read them faithfully over and over throughout the day. Calvin and Hobbes was one of his all time favorites.He had a passion for dogs, especially Australian Shepherd’s. His favorite charity that he absolutely loved was St. Vincent De Paul.

(Pozzi’s funeral notice notes memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 950 SE Third Street, Bend, OR 97702.)

It warms my heart — given this opportunity to share these sweet stories regarding our Arthur. I am so incredibly blessed to have this man as my father figure. He taught me so much.

Most importantly, Arthur taught me the meaning of giving and compassion. He was the most amazing stepfather I could possibly have had. As clich as it sounds, he will be missed immensely by so many. My family and I are filled with such deep sadness.