SALEM - Charles F. Arnold, 89, of Peabody, formerly of Salem, husband of the late Mary Louise (Dumas) Arnold, passed Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation Center in Beverly.
Born in Salem, he was the son of Charles F. and Mary A. (O’Donnell) Arnold and lived in the Gallows Hill area of the city for most of his life, until moving to Peabody in 1972.
A veteran of WWII, he enlisted in the Army in 1942, before finishing high school. He served with the 557th Field Artillery Bn in France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
He was a member of the VFW, Post 1011 in Peabody. Through special program for veterans, he was awarded his high school diploma in the 1990’s due to the fact that he left high school to enter the service for the war effort.
He worked for many leather shops in Peabody and Salem, and also was employed by the City of Salem prior to his retirement. Charles together with his wife Louise, took over ownership of O’Donnell’s Variety Store, in Gallows Hill which was in the family for many years. In 1947-48, he started the Catholic Grammar School leagues and coached teams in Salem in basketball and baseball for many years.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife and had many hours of enjoyment with his grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Lenny McDuff of Peabody, Nancy and Mike Mahan of Beverly, son and daughter-in-law Charles and Debbie Arnold of Salem, six grandchildren, Tina and husband Silvio Bandeira, Brian and wife Susan Moran, Tyler Mahan, Jamie Arnold, Dustin and wife Jenna Arnold, Ross Arnold, three great granddaughters, Emma Moran, Julia Banderia and Khloe Arnold and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his sister Eleanor Stone.
His funeral service will be held Monday, August 26, 2013 at 7:45 AM from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 9 AM at the St. John The Baptist Church, Peabody. Visiting hours are Sunday, 3 to 7 PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation Center for the compassionate and special care extended to Charles and the entire family. For those who desire, donations may be made in his memory to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, or on line at http://www.WoundedWarriorProject.org. For on line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.