Arthur Xavier

Arthur Xavier, 84, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, passed away peacefully in March 2026. Born in March 1941 in Trinidad & Tobago to Morgan and Olive Xavier, Arthur attended Mount Saint Benedict Abbey. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Chicago Technical College in 1967. He married Monica Isaac in Brooklyn, New York, where together they built a life.

A pioneering structural engineer, Arthur brought legacy and innovation to every project. At Chas. H. Sells (now WSP Sells) performed structural analyses for the Long Island Railroad’s elevated sections using emerging finite element methods and early computer modeling. He also developed one of the first Fortran-based programs for foundation analysis, helping shape modern engineering design. His career spanned the globe, including pivotal roles at Indian Point Nuclear Plant in New York, the Bataan Nuclear Project in the Philippines, and with Aramco in Saudi Arabia.

Arthur and Monica became the first Black homeowners in Cortlandt Manor, NY, where he built the family home himself, along with family members who came from Trinidad to help. He later retired to Trinidad and then to Florida.

Arthur is survived by his wife Monica; daughters Sonji (Jason) and Sacha (David); grandchildren Sage, Maddox, and Colette; and brothers Vaughn (Christina) and Geoffrey (Merlyn). He is remembered for his intellect, his pride in his heritage, and his belief that his children could achieve anything.