Arthur Baldwin Jr.

Arthur Baldwin, Jr. 1922 - 2008 WEST STOCKBRIDGE Arthur W. Baldwin, Jr. 86, of West Center Road, died suddenly Wednesday, Dec. 10, at his home. A native and lifelong resident of West Stockbridge, Arthur was born on Aug. 20, 1922, son of Arthur and Edith Allen Lawrence Baldwin. He was a graduate of the former Williams High School in Stockbridge. He then earned a degree in business from Boston University. A veteran of World War II, Arthur enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 6, 1942. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon before being honorably discharged on July 18, 1946. Arthur worked at the family hardware store, A.W. Baldwin & Co, Inc. in West Stockbridge up until last year. Arthur's father passed the business on to his sons Arthur and Lawrence who together operated the store for many years. Arthur then operated the hardware store until 1986 when Arthur sold the business to his son, Henry. He married his wife, the late Jean Ford on June 1, 1947, at the First Congregational Church in Stockbridge. The couple made their home at the family farm on West Center Road in West Stockbridge where they raised their six children. Arthur was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He cherished spending time with his family. He and Jean traveled extensively throughout the United States and the British Isles. Arthur also enjoyed stamp collecting and studying genealogy. An active member of his community, Arthur served on numerous boards in the town of West Stockbridge. He was the treasurer of the West Stockbridge Congregational Church for many years. He leaves his six children, Marjorie Baldwin of Richmond, Linda Coturri, and her husband, Anthony, of Glen Ellen, Calif., Judith Stafford of Great Barrington, Va., Casey and her husband, William, of West Stockbridge, Arthur Baldwin, III and his wife, Kate, of Richmond, and Henry Baldwin and his wife, Lisa, of West Stockbridge. He also leaves 18 grandchildren, John and Alexander Mullen, Niccolo and Gianina Coturri, Duncan and Meredith Stafford, Matthew, Tobias, Seth, Abiah, Elias and Ella Casey, Nigel and Tessa Baldwin and Corey, Riley, Keegan and Robert Baldwin, as well as eight great-grandchildren, Madison Mullen, Eliza Mullen, Eleana Casey, Ashton, Aidan, and Declan Casey, Jeremiah Casey and Jaxon Casey, along with four additional expected great-grandchildren. Arthur also leaves his beloved cat, King, who offered Arthur great companionship and comfort. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jean Ford Baldwin, whom he missed deeply following her death on March 17, 2005. He was also predeceased by his two brothers Dana and Lawrence Baldwin. FUNERAL NOTICE: A service celebrating the life of Arthur W. Baldwin, Jr. will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 at eleven o'clock at FINNERTY AND STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 from four until 7 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Berkshire Humane Society or to the Alzheimer's Association, in honor of his wife Jean, through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com