GLOUCESTER: John A. Arnold, 72, of East Gloucester died Wednesday evening, December 2, 2009 surrounded by his family in the Beverly Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy J. (Russell) Arnold.
Born in Gloucester on January 18, 1937, he was the son of the late Capt. A. Kenneth Arnold and Clara A. (Wilson) Arnold Randazza. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he had served four years primarily in Texas and California and was honorably discharged in June of 1959.
Throughout his life he derived his living from the sea in one fashion or another. Early in his life, he was a fisherman aboard numerous vessels including the Phyllis A. and was employed as a longshoreman for Quincy Cold Storage. In the early 1970's, he had resided on Nantucket Island where he was a police officer and firefighter.
From 1978 to 1987 he was an observer and compliance inspector aboard foreign vessels for the National Marine Fisheries Service. He had received a special achievement award from the law enforcement branch of N.O.A.A. for his decisive action and diplomacy in diffusing a potential international incident.
For the next decade, he had worked for Atlantic Inspection Services as a compliance inspector in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers on dredging projects along the Eastern Seaboard. He had also worked security for the Cape Ann Marina Resort. A lifelong entrepreneur, his endeavors were vast and varied.
He was a longtime member and "Keeper of the Wampum" for the Improved Order of Red Men Wingaersheek Tribe No. 12. He was also a member of the Cape Ann Chapter No. 1471 Loyal Order of Moose, Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892, Amvets Post #32 of Gloucester, Doucette-Linguard V.F.W. Post #1624 of Gloucester and the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3 American Legion.
He was a big man with a big heart who found his greatest peace being on or near the ocean. He loved to sing and dance and play the guitar and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his seven children, Kendra L., wife of N. Scott MacFarland, Cynthia L., wife of Raymond Mackey, Kenneth A. Arnold, husband of Carolyn M. (Weldon) Arnold, Julie A., wife of John B. Nicastro, Kristin J. Roderick, fiancée of Kirk D. Wonson, John A. Arnold, Jr., and Rachael E. Arnold, companion of Graeme O’Dou, thirteen grandchildren, Kevin and Norman Michael MacFarland, Wayne T., husband of Cynthia Grossi and Mikayla L. Mackey, Keith A., husband of Grace White, Kara J., wife of Aaron Damboise, Jacob R. and Emily A. Arnold, Jonathan D. and Jeremy M. Nicastro, Andrew R. Lezynski, Elijah D. and Aerial E. Arnold; and two great-grandchildren, Kazira A. Slocum and Michael J. White. He also leaves three sisters, Florence "Sis" Milne, Nancy Farina and Joan, wife of Joseph Curcuru, two aunts, Phyllis, wife of Edward Wagner and Florence Coe, three uncles, Alvin, husband of the late Joan Arnold, Robert, husband of Lois Arnold, Richard, husband of Lois Arnold and three nieces, Gail, wife of Douglas Fritch, Gayle, wife of Dan Pado and Jennifer, wife of James Craft, as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many dear friends, including his lifelong friend, Harry Hersey and his wife, Pat. He was also predeceased by his grandson, Matthew W. Lezynski (January 18, 1991), his in-laws, Frederick F. "Pete" and Alice F. (Cluney) Russell, brother-in-law, Frederick F. Russell, a niece, Joan Marie Randazza, son-in-law, Jamie Roderick, stepfather, Albert Randazza and dear friend, Richard Hull, Esq.
His funeral service will be held on Monday morning in the Community Church of East Gloucester, 10 Chapel Street at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday afternoon in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 2 - 5 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Please omit flowers. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Phyllis A. Marine Association, c/o 39 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930 (phyllis-a.org) or the ALS Foundation for Life, P. O. Box 96, Natick, MA 01760 (alsfoundation.org). Interment will be held privately in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.