Robert E. AREL

AREL, Robert E.
Robert E. "Bob" Arel, died of cardiac arrest on July 25, 2013. Born on September 17, 1926, in Fitchburg, MA, he spent his youth in Montreal, P.Q., Canada. He and his bride settled in Connecticut in 1947, where they began their family and he began his career in the HVAC field, working for supermarket chains until retirement from Grand Union Co. in 1981. Such venerable Greater Hartford institutions as Aetna Diner, D& D Market, and Lorraine Pastry Shop also benefited from his expertise. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, he had been a diligent donor to the American Red Cross for decades. In recent years, he could be found delivering Hartford's West End newsletter, puttering in his garden, or pitching in at Roggi's Auto Service. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; daughter, Kathleen A. Lyons; son, John R. Arel; two sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his four siblings. The family is grateful to the conscientious, caring staff at Newington Health Care Center for making his final days as comfortable and dignified as possible; he particularly thrived on Margaret's "tough love."
There will be no memorial service, per his wishes, but he will be remembered as a generous soul, for whom "for better or worse" laughter was the best medicine. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 555 Willard Ave. Newington CT, Attention : Voluntary Service, Memo: account 8002. Ahern Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.