Arthur Albert Guarino Jr.

Westerly - Arthur Albert Guarino Jr., 82, of Beach St., Westerly, has joined his late wife of 53 years, Dorothy Ann (Pont) Guarino on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, 2011, at the Westerly Health Center.

Mr. Guarino was born in Westerly, on Jan. 13, 1929, the son of the late Arthur Albert and Blanche (Smigel) Guarino Sr. of Charlestown, R.I.

For many years, Mr. Guarino worked at Electric Boat in Groton, and became a mechanical designer and draftsman for the Monsanto Corporation in Stonington. Art, being a musician, played in "The String of Pearls Band", "The Wakefield, R.I. Band" and "The Westerly Band". He played all brass instruments, but favored the trombone. He played numerous years in "Tuba Christmas" held at the Essex Steam Train Station, where musicians from all over gathered each year and put on a beautiful concert. Many times his grandson sat beside him and played also.

Known for his love of the outdoors, his hobbies proved such. Art was an avid hunter and marksman and won many awards. He was a member of the rifle team at the Mystic Rod & Gun Club, The Bradford Club, a life member of the NRA for hand guns and safety. Arthur also was a fencing instructor. He enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, photography, clamming, archery and coin collecting. Arthur also was a pilot and owned many planes. He even built his own bi-winged ultra light which he named "The Iccarus". He was a captain, commanding officer, a member of the Westerly Aviation Association and pilot diver for the search and rescue portion of the Westerly Civil Air Patrol and assisted on many occasions with the Westerly Police Department. Mr. Guarino also loved astronomy and built his own telescope, which he then donated along with his time to the Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, which earned him a paver stone with his name. He also volunteered at the Mystic Aquarium and was a life member at the Westerly Yacht Club.

Mr. Guarino is survived by his son, Jeal A. Breckenridge of Essex; his daughter, Kerri L. Guarino of Pawcatuck; his grandson, Joshua A. Guarino of New York City, N.Y. whom he adored; and his son, Bruce A. Guarino of Pawcatuck.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at St. Pius X Church, 44 Elm St., Westerly. There are no calling hours. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Stonington.

Funeral services are under the direction of Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Cremation Services via Serenity Cremation Center, 64 Friendship St., Westerly.

For online condolences, please go to www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers and donations, please bring a piece of nature (a leaf, nut, dried flowers, pinecone etc.) to follow Art on his journey. Nothing artificial please.