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2023 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 491
Celebrating the life of Arthur David Toth, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 23, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, January 26, 2023

 

WHEREAS, Arthur David Toth, Jr., a devoted community leader in Richmond, accomplished small businessman and fashion retailer, noted animal lover, and loving son, brother, and friend, died on April 24, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Arthur “Art” David Toth, Jr., was well known in many different fields for his leadership, dedication, and passion to that to which he applied himself, achieving success in the worlds of fashion, dog handling, and small business ownership; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth was a close and supportive friend to many and was appreciated for his mentorship and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community; and

WHEREAS, a proud and loyal graduate of Michigan State University, Art Toth was a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and was an unwavering supporter of Spartan athletics, most recently traveling to Atlanta to see the school’s football team prevail at the 54th Peach Bowl in 2021; and

WHEREAS, upon graduating from Michigan State University, Art Toth began a long and rewarding career in retail, first working for the J.L. Hudson Department Store in Detroit before finding his way to the Commonwealth and assuming vice president leadership positions at Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, declining to join the May Department Stores Company upon its purchase of Thalhimers, Art Toth opted instead to stay in his adopted and beloved hometown of Richmond to forge his way as a small business entrepreneur; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth opened La Grande Dame in Richmond’s Stony Point Shopping Center in 1991, creating one of the nation’s first fashion boutiques designed for women sizes 14 and up; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth cultivated a long list of dedicated, loyal customers that basked in his positive and loving energy, and this community grew even stronger when the business moved to Richmond’s Libbie and Grove corridor in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth was known and respected in New York City’s Garment District, establishing lasting relationships with women’s clothing vendors that would serve him and his customers throughout his retail career; and

WHEREAS, a passionate animal lover, Art Toth bred and showed dogs and won “Best in Breed” at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2006 with his beloved Welsh Terrier; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth was very involved in and loved the Richmond community, serving on the board of directors and as chair and chair emeritus of Diversity Richmond, where he helped to promote a vision for a more inclusive Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Art Toth is lovingly remembered by his life partner, Steve; his siblings, Joseph and Gloria, and their families; and legions of loyal customers and devoted friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Arthur David Toth, Jr., a dedicated and exceptional community leader in Richmond whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Arthur David Toth, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.