Frederick F. Arena

1929 - 2016

Frederick F. Arena, 87, of Plainville, lost his battle with cancer Friday June 3, 2016, with his wife and loving family by his side. Fred was born on May 24, 1929 in New Britain, a son of the late Salvatore and Letizia (Primarano) Arena. Fred married Vivian M. Luppino on September 21, 1953 and shared 62 years of marriage together. Fred graduated from New Britain high school and the Ward school of electronics and served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War. Fred had worked as an electrician for many years at Fafnir Bearing and later New Departure. He was an avid sports fan and especially loved the UCONN Women's Basketball Team, which he and his wife Vivian watched faithfully. He also enjoyed taking Vivian on long road trips all around New England, especially Vermont. His greatest joy was being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Fred enjoyed many years of Saturday night card games with his family. He had a passion for technology and loved watching singing auditions on You Tube. Fred loved taking videos of family gatherings and of his grandchildren, and thanks to him his family will have many beautiful memories to look back upon. His family loved the songs he made up for his grandchildren, his funny speeches, his tap dancing and his whistling. Fred was a longtime Communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church. Besides his wife Vivian, Fred is survived by his daughters, Karen and her husband Ernest Brousseau, Joanne and her husband Donald Applegarth, Frances and her husband Paul Nagle, his son David Arena and his wife Michelle and his sister Rose Rund. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Eric, Seth, Jennifer, Daniel, Kara, Amanda, Bryan, Nick and Bridget and great granddaughter, Zoe, as well as a very special person in his life Dena Samele and her family. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Catherine, Eleanor, Mary, Judy, Marjorie, Angeline and his brother Nicholas. Funeral services for Frederick will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. from the Bailey Funeral Home 48 Broad Street in Plainville to Our Lady of Mercy Church 94 Broad Street for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery in Plainville. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105. For additional information or to leave words of condolence please visit www.BAILEY-FUNERALHOME.com.