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John MacArthur Obituary
was singer/guitar player -- Back to Back band
LAKELAND, Florida -- John C. MacArthur, 61, known better to his friends and family as "Jay", passed away early Monday morning, April 11th, as a result of injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Jay is survived by his wife, Dale MacArthur; three sons, Jason, Jesse, and Justin MacArthur; daughter, Cathleen MacArthur; and step daughter, Marissa Cartwright; also his two brothers, Stewart and Scott MacArthur; three sisters, Diana Gardner, Delores Soto, and Debbie MacArthur.
Jay enjoyed spending time with his four grandsons, Anthony, Joshua, Dylan, and Nathan, as well as his three lovely granddaughters, Carolanne, Hailey, and Caroline.
He was predeceased by the mother of his four children the former Carol Rivard.
Jay was born in Sault St. Marie, Michigan but was raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he spent most of his life.
He served in the United States Army from 1968-1971, during the Vietnam War. While in Fitchburg, he was the lead singer and rhythm guitar player for Back to Back, a classic rock and oldies band that entertained people all over southern New England for around 30 years.
He had moved down to Lakeland, Florida with his wife, Dale in 2006, where he enjoyed the weather, and the fishing Florida had to offer.
He was a trailer mechanic for CTL Transportation, a Florida based tank trucking company that hauls chemicals nationwide.
Those that knew him are blessed to have done so and he will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.
In memory of Jay there will be a Celebration of Life held at the American Legion at 200 Daniels St., Fitchburg, MA at 11 a.m. on Saturday the 16th of April. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McKay Campus School Music Department, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John MacArthur
Stephen (Smithy) Smith
April 17, 2011
It has been 30 years since our lives went in different directions. I have always carried you on my mind with great fondness. I have warm memories of you and I sitting in Carol's apt. before you were married; you playing the guitar and the two of us singing Elvis songs together; all the wonderful times we had sitting around with our grop playing milestones; not to forget the Buttercup and the great bands we saw there and also the night we went to see the Vanilla Fudge at the Civic Center. "It was the best of times; It was the worst of times!" The many Saturdays we spent raising too much hell. You would come to my door , after a long Friday night, and wouldn't stop knocking until I answered the door and off we would go. We laughed together, cried together, had great conversations about politics and the issues of our days. I have been reading your tributes and always knew you would be a kind and caring man as you grew in years. I will carry you gently on my mind with great affection till the end of my days. You were a true friend! God Bless and Keep you.
A Rainbow, the Bridge to Heaven for Jay. I am sorry for the pain of yet another death in your family.
Kathy Panagiotes
April 16, 2011
Tammy (Metivier) Burgholzer
April 14, 2011
So sorry To Hear about Jay..May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rose MacArthur
April 14, 2011
My baby girl has lost her coloring partner. The toys in there line will remain silent and we have all lost a little part of heaven that we had with us. I can not put in to words the love we have for you. You will be in are hearts forever
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April 14, 2011
Condolences to The MacArthur Family,
Jay was my boyhood friend,just a solid guy.
Tony Zekos
Leominster,Mass.
Jane Landry & Earl Hamel
April 14, 2011
Our condolences go out to his family and friends from all over , He touched so many of our lives in his own way , Earl and I had our first date following Back To Back around , I can remember a tatoo on my shoulder showing when we got up to dance and him saying is that Jane w-Earl , Jay you will always be in my heart , I love you Jay! I'll always miss you !!
Marissa Cartwright
April 14, 2011
Escelators will run rampid because the "Escelator Police" is no more! Little boys in Texas Road House will be misbehaving becuase the "Sherrif" isn't in town anmyore. The music in the air will not be as sweet because it isn't being sung by Jay! You even had the patience to teach me how to drive stick! That was a feat in and of itself. I love you Jay! I'll miss you so much!
Scott & Cindy Mitchell
April 14, 2011
Every year for over twenty years I asked Jay one question.Do you know any Irish music. He never answered yes once. But brought me to tears when he sang it .He will remain with us always.
Patty
April 14, 2011
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Dale, Jesse, Jason, Justin and Kat...May you always hold memories close to your heart and remember he is at peace and some day you will be reunited...
Bonita & Bob Gadoury
April 14, 2011
So very sorry to hear of Jay's passing. Words are never enough during a time like this, but please know that your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers. We have been family friends from Ashburnham Hill Road in Fitchburg, MA for so many years - around 43 years now. Things like this make you realize just how fast time flies. Remember Jay with a smile and always remember that we all touch someones heart in one way or another and that is what makes each and everyone of us special in our own way. Keep smiling and remember all the good times. Love to all of you!
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
his career started at an early age...
Debbie MacArthur
April 13, 2011
We are bllessed to have witnessed such love....
The Family Sniipes
April 13, 2011
Our memories of Jay include his smile, sense of humor, funny stories, and that LAUGH!!!
We hurt badly and cannot imagine the grief saturating the lives of his family and friends.
He was truly a man we loved to call "Brother" and Uncle.
Rest well and know your memory is alive with us.
We Love You, and Miss You,
Bob, Sherryanne, Rob, Michelle, Greg, Nikki, Darren and Mallory Snipes
We are blessed to have witnessed such love.
Sherryanne and Bob Snipes
April 13, 2011
Kristen Leger
April 13, 2011
Jason and Jesse, I am so sad to hear of your Dads passing. my thoughts and prayers are with you. Don't cry because he is gone, but smile because he lived and touched so many lives! Take care!
Rock-n-Roll Heaven's Newest Member
Patty Cormier
April 13, 2011
Dale and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jay is now rock-n-roll heaven's newest member, entertaining the angels along with Johnny and Roger. My deepest sympathies to you all. Stay strong and let your friends and family help you though this sad time.
Sharon Brennan
April 13, 2011
Dale my deepest sympathy is with you and Jay's family. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Jay will always be remembered for the music he played at the Holiday Social.
Dale
April 13, 2011
I am comforted by knowing that God had a very important reason for taking you from us, can't imagine what it was but I am trying to accept that it was his decision to make. You brought such love, joy and happiness to my life. I will carry the memory of you with me always! Marissa is my strength, grabbing my hand each time I head into the valley of sadness. I LOVE YOU!
Linda Alger
April 13, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, Dale we have very fond memories of Jay leading our Christmas sing-a-long which we have missed the last several years. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
A voice silenced too soon
Dolores MacArthur Soto
April 13, 2011
The Guitar Man
Dolores MacArthur Soto
April 13, 2011
Dan & Mona Leclerc
April 13, 2011
Jay was sure a great friend,We were honored to of met him through the Band Back To Back.He will be missed.and to Jay's wife Dale ,family and friends..
We extexd our deepest sympathies and condolences at the passing of your dad,husband and friend. Our loved ones are never truly gone,for they live in our memories forever.
God Bless all Family & Friends.
Joe Foster
April 13, 2011
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. I was Jay's bandmate in Back To Back for several years. We rode to many shows together, and spent many a night shooting the breeze back at his house. He was a good man, I know he truly loved his family and loved to sing and perform. He sure knew how to put a song across, and of course sang Neil Diamond songs as close to the real thing as any I've ever heard. I learned a lot from him, as a performer and as a person. Rest In Peace Jay, I love you and will never forget you. I can picture you up there, jamming with Roger Stewart and Johnny Moore right now.
Scott MacArthur
April 12, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are sent to Jason,Jesse,Justin,Cathleen,Marissa and Dale.
My prayers for my brother sent heavenward. No more worries, just jammin' with the best now!
You will be missed brother. Watch over your family from above and guide them to greatness.
Love you, Scott
Diane MacArthur
April 12, 2011
All my memories of you are good ones. You made me laugh., You told me how important your family was to you. I always respected that. We are here to watch over your babies and grandbabies. So rest in peace, Dear Jay. I'm sure your Mom and Dad and Carol are there welcoming you.
Bonnie Greeno
April 12, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the family of John Macarthur. When you look up in the sky and see a star, believe that there is now one more angel that has been called to watch over us....
Kerri Woodruff
April 12, 2011
Dale, Justin, Jesse,Jason and Cathleen... I just want to send my deepest condolences to you and the ENTIRE Macarthur family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I know that Jay was very loved. I know my niece Carolanne adored her papa and will miss him greatly. God Bless you all!
Kerri
(Rose's sister)
angela melanson
April 12, 2011
Uncle jay, your voice and your sense of humor will truly be missed! I know you are now playing and singing up in heaven for the rest of our family. To cissy, dale, jason, jesse, justin, and marissa my heart and love go out to you all!
Debbie MacArthur
April 12, 2011
Dale, Cathleen, Jason, Jesse, Justin and Marissa...there are no words other than I love you all and share in your grief. Rejoice in your memories..there are plentiful. Know that in our pain, he is with others we have lost, entertaining, arguing with St Peter because they want him to wear sandals and not boots. And being measured for wings....made of denim.
Cathleen MacArthur
April 12, 2011
I was Jay's "Baby Girl" and even though I am 24 years old, he still called me that. My dad was a wonderful man who had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh (even though he was often vulgar!). He was loving and caring, and was the type of father people make jokes about, the one who goes to his daughter's boyfriend's house with a baseball bat because he made her cry. Ok so he never actually did that, but he made sure the boys thought he would!! I miss my dad very much, it was way too soon for him to pass, but at least I know he is up in heaven with my mom, his other relatives who have passed, some of his old band members (jamming away!), and some of the greatest musicians (especially Elvis!). RIP Daddy, you are very LOVED and very much MISSED! Keep shining down on me! I love you! <3
Diana Gardner
April 12, 2011
My thoughts and prayers with Cathleen, Justin, Jesse, Jason, Marissa and Dale. A voice silenced way to soon. Much love to all of you and RIP my brother, love you always
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