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Arthur Munisteri Obituary
Arthur A. Munisteri, distinguished lawyer and enthusiastic country dancer, died August 4th, 2019, in Northampton MA, after a lengthy illness. He was 80. His death was announced by his wife, Nancy P. Boyd.
Born in Brooklyn NY on April 27, 1939, to Peter and Ines (Ziniti) Munisteri, Arthur graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School (1956), Yale University (1960), and Yale Law School (1963). He went on to clerk for Judge Thomas Swan, US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, in New Haven CT. Later he was tapped for the position of Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, working under Robert Morgenthau and then Whitney Seymour. He continued his public service as Regional Chief in the Office of Special Prosecutor for Medicaid Fraud during Governor Mario Cuomo's administration in New York.
Arthur was a long-time member of the Country Dance and Song Society, Inc., and served on the boards of related organizations in New York and Massachusetts. He was an avid English, Contra, and Morris dancer, a sought-after waltz partner, and a proud member of the Greenwich Morris Men and Pinewoods Folk Music Club in New York City. He sang for many years in the New York Christmas Revels, and later in the Cambridge MA Christmas Revels. Arthur was well-known for his vast repertoire of literary references, funny stories, and recall of the details of everything he had ever read.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, Arthur leaves behind his brother, Joseph Munisteri (Barbra), sons Matthew (Carmela Marner) and Ben, daughter Adele (Andres Gleich), step-daughter Caroline Litwinski, two grandchildren, Arlo and Calla Gleich, step-grandson Felix Bridel, a special cousin, Diane Grimes, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Lauradele Smith. A celebration of life is being planned for the fall. Arrangements are being handled by Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst, MA. Memorial donations can be made to the Country Dance and Song Society, Inc., 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 345, Easthampton, MA 01027-2759, or the Columbia Universitys Alzheimers Disease Research Center, http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/adrc/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Munisteri
Marisa Labozzetta
August 5, 2024
Remembering Art and how happy I was to meet him and share memories of our parents' long friendship. Sending a big hug and much gratitude to Nancy who made mine and my mother's stay at Rockridge so much more enjoyable!
Diane Grimes
August 2, 2022
You are never far from thought, I still miss you so much. Dance away dear one. Till we meet again.xxx D.
Joanne Patti Munisteri
July 21, 2022
Joanne Patti Munisteri
July 21, 2022
Joanne Patti Munisteri
July 21, 2022
Joanne Patti Munisteri
July 21, 2022
Remembering you uncle Art and found these photos from your early days in Brooklyn with your mother, father, sister Lauradele and brother Joseph G Munisteri. One photo of you and your mother Inez Ziniti Patti Munisteri in New York.
Photo by Art Munisteri in NYC 2000 of niece Joanne, great nephew Denali and great niece Sequoia
Joanne Munisteri
December 13, 2019
Uncle Art was a fine uncle in some of my formative childhood and young adult years. He could be full of fun and song and his voice was sonorous and at times, stentorian. He legal mind was keen and his hugs were warm. Though we disagreed on certain subjects, he was always up for a debate. The times in Brooklyn with the grandparents and his family and with a closeness cousins were able to have that not many in this generation continue...will never be forgotten. May God bless him and his growing family. You are in my prayers and always in my memory-Uncle Arthur/Art I am not near my storage where I have many photos of you in your "prime" years but I do have a photo you took of me and my children in 2000 when we all went to the world trade center and the village in NYC. Sorry no one took a photo of the 4 of us but I appreciate the photo of the three of us. You are over the threshold as is Denali who went before you. May love ease the grief of our families losses.
David Ross
November 13, 2019
Art and I were classmates at Yale and members of the Thomas More choir led by the late Johannes Somary. Art had a great singing voice. I was also an attorney and enlisted his legal expertise in representing,along with Richard Ben-Veniste (another former AUSA, two defendants in an interesting federal securities fraud criminal case in the SDNY. I will miss his mellow approach to life.
Lynn Milich
August 29, 2019
Dear Nancy, I learned of Arthur's passing this last week and was very sorry to hear it. I did not know him well but always enjoyed an occassional dance or meeting along the line in a dance. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you.
Steve and Jeannette Sargent
August 27, 2019
Dear Nancy, We are so sorry for your loss. Art was a kind and gracious man and a familiar figure at so many English country dances and will truly be missed. We hope your memories of him will keep him close to you forever and send our love.
August 14, 2019
Dear Nancy,
I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed meeting you and Arthur at Rockridge and will miss seeing you both.
Susan (Joan's daughter)
DAWN AHLUWALIA
August 12, 2019
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH EVERYONE MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
Diane Grimes
August 12, 2019
Arthur you were like another brother to me.
Always thoughtful,considerate and there when truly needed. I know you are at a great reunion with those loved ones that passed to prepare a place for you.You had so many talents but above all much loved because you returned it in many folds.We will look after your beloved partner in life ,Nancy You were a perfect pair. AND
'HE PLAYED THE FIDDLE'too from the song describing Thomas Jefferson in the play '1776.'
I miss you dear one so till we meet again in the wonderful beyond, save a lace at the table for me.Your devoted Cousin, Diane
John Scarinzi
August 12, 2019
Goodbye Butch. Our 70 plus years of friendship are on hold, until I join you and Joe and Mike. It will be a terrific reunion, but not for awhile. My young granddaughters tell me that I still have a few miles to go before I sleep..and perhaps a few promises to keep.
Johnny
Maria Smith
August 11, 2019
The best uncle money couldn't buy. He was a visceral part of my childhood, adolescence and young adult years. He was my mother's favorite person. He was a great gift giver (I still have the leather folder and pen set he gave me for a high school graduation gift. Sadly, the Talking Heads cassette tape has been lost to the ages). He was occasionally over-the-top, thank goodness. My thoughts and love are with Nancy and the kids, my sweet cousins of childhood. All the love, Uncle A.
August 11, 2019
Dear Nancy, it was like stumbling upon a rock that cast me into my past when I encountered you and Arthur at Rockridge. I will miss Art, whose keen wit and intelligence always shone through. I look forward to celebrating his life with you in the fall. Sending love,
Marisa
August 11, 2019
So very sorry to learn this. Condolences, Nancy and family. Fond memories of dances and conversations with Art at CDNY.
Amy (and Aaron) Springer
August 9, 2019
Flashing a bright smile, always good for a thoughtful, insightful conversation and usually for a corny joke or two as well. Art, you always brightened my day, I will cherish your friendship always.
Pat Leitch
August 9, 2019
Such a great man. We will miss Arthur's twinkling eyes, great smile, sense of humor and dancing spirit!
Hamlet, Hamlet, I'm away! (If you think this is boring, you should read the bloody play!) xoxo
Caroline Litwinski
August 8, 2019
Ah-tha, Ah-tha! How we miss you, my favorite humble know-it-all Papa-Fodder. I've been singing "Hamlet, Hamlet, acting barmy!" to mom all day. Teri brought over some homemade lasagna with bread that happened to be your favorite loaf from the Big Y. We figured you must have tipped her off. I'll have a place set for you at the scrabble board tonight, along with a little Baileys. I LOVE YOU, ARTIE!
August 8, 2019
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