Obituary of Arthur D. "Pent" Penttila

Arthur D. Pent Penttila 87 years, husband of Willie R. (Billings) Penttila of Peabody, died Friday at his home after a brief illness. Mr. Penttila was born April 20, 1917 in Peabody son of the late Konsta and Maria (Pohju) Penttila. He was raised in Peabody and graduated in 1936 from Essex Agricultural School where he majored in agriculture. He was a lifelong resident of Peabody. During WW II Mr. Penttila served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 487th AAF BU as an airplane instrument specialist. He was awarded the American Theater Service Medal. Following the war he along with wife built his own home in Peabody. Mr. Penttila was employed for 40 years at A.C. Lawrence Leather Company in Peabody as a millwright installing and repairing heavy equipment until the company’ s closing in the late 1970’ s. He enjoyed gardening, landscaping, fishing, hunting, cooking but most of all he loved animals. In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was pre deceased by his siblings, Allen Lauri and Anton John Penttila, Alli Maria Alexander, Aili Alice Blake, Astrid Emelia Cleary, Aura Kristina MacDonald and Anna Ellan Barry. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday March 15th in Cedar Grove Cemetery, 100 Rear Cedar Grove Ave., Peabody. As per his request there will be no visiting hours. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers MA 01923. Arrangements are by the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St. location, Peabody.