Robert Thomas Arnold Jr

03/09/2004

Robert Thomas Arnold Jr., 79, of Dennisport and Naples, Fla., formerly of Adams, died Tuesday in Naples. A longtime area businessman, he had owned the former R.T. Arnold Lumber Co. Born in Adams on June 11, 1924, son of Robert T. and Elsie Card Arnold, he graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton. An Army veteran of World War II, he served with Company L, 407th Infantry in the European theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star, and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1946. Mr. Arnold spent most of his life working in his family's lumber company, which his ancestor Elisha Arnold started as a sawmill in Adams in 1788. He developed the company into a chain of lumber yards, operating as Arnold's 1788 Yards in Berkshire County, Shelburne and Pownal, Vt., until the business ceased operations more than 20 years ago. He also owned commercial and residential property, including the Spring Street Plaza, and developed the Howland House Apartments in the former Burke's Inn. He was a member of First Congregational Church and served on its board of directors. He was a past president of the Adams Chamber of Commerce, and a former trustee of North Adams Regional Hospital. He and his wife, the former Penny Scott, were married May 16, 1946, in the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, Robert Arnold III of Guilford, Vt.; Scott Arnold and Derek Arnold, both of Naples; a daughter, Sharman Taylor of Naples; a sister, Faye Buckley of Fishers, Ind., five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Robert T. Arnold Jr., who died March 9, 2004, will be conducted Saturday, March 13, at 1 at First Congregational Church of Adams by the Rev. Michael Mullany, pastor. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours at AUGE-PACIOREK-SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, will be Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105. He leaves three daughters-in-law, Susan, Christine and Joni; five grandchildren, Sarah, Megan, Katie, Carson and Riley, and a great-granddaughter, Hannah. He was predeceased by a brother, Frank Arnold, and a sister, Mrs. Jean Plunkett.

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