Arthur F. HaleyFormer President of Mt. Wachusett Community College
Westminster-Dr. Arthur F. Haley Jr., 92, died peacefully on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, MA surrounded by his loving family.
Arthur will be forever missed by his wife of 67 years, Mary T. (O’Brien) Haley; and his nine children, Linda Bittner and her husband Gary of Westminster, Kim Haley of Westminster, Arthur Haley III and his wife Johanna of East Templeton, Betsy Haley-Cormier and her husband David of Westminster, Tracy Bosselait and her husband Gary of Belchertown, Jeffrey Haley and his wife Heidi of Westminster, Susan Anderson and her husband Scott of Westminster, Patrick Haley and his wife Courtney of Westminster and Michael Haley and his wife Regenia of Westminster. He also leaves his 22 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two sons in law, Thomas Scerra and Anthony Tucker.
Arthur was born and raised in Lowell, the son of the late Arthur and Alice (Marren) Haley. He attended Keith Academy, Boston College, Boston University and Princeton. He proudly served in the United States Navy in both WWII and the Korean War, where he earned the rank of Lieutenant. As recently as last year, he was presented with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.
At the young age of 38, Arthur was chosen to be the founding President of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA where he worked tirelessly from 1963 until his retirement in 1986. He was always passionate about serving his community, which led him to volunteer on many boards and committees in the area. Arthur served on the Board of the Gardner-Athol Area Mental Health Association and the Board of Trustees at Heywood Hospital. He served as the Moderator for the town of Westminster for twenty years and was a member and past President of the Westminster Rotary Club. He was also a long-time member and lector at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Westminster.
Arthur treasured the time he spent with his family. Working around the house, driving his tractor and doling out ten minute jobs brought him great pleasure. There was nothing he couldn’t fix. He built his family’s first home in Chelmsford, before moving to Westminster and even though he wasn’t a beach lover, he built a beautiful summer home at the ocean for Mary and their nine children. He was generous in sharing his knowledge and wisdom with his children and grandchildren.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from the Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 123 Main St. Westminster, with a Mass at 10am in St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church St., Westminster. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Westminster. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Arthur’s name to The Friends of the Soldier Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01047.
To leave an online condolence for Arthur Please visit our website at www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net John F. Masciarelli, Walter C Taylor and James M. Hebert, Funeral Directors.
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