Obituary of Arnold R Faria

Arnold R. Faria, 87, of Peabody, died early Tuesday morning at the Rosewood Nursing Home, following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Mary Lillian (Viana) Faria. Born on December 14, 1916, he was the son of the late Celestino and Laura (Lucie de Nazare) Faria. He was a lifelong resident of the city and a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1933. He later attended Suffolk Law School, and special classes at Boston University and Essex Community College. He is a retiree of the city of Peabody with over 20 years service having attained the position of General Foreman of the Water Department, retiring in 1979. He also worked at AC Lawrence Leather Company in the mechanical Department as a Pipe-Fitter and Pump Mechanic, and was involved in the Union, having served as a member of the board for 10 years. He was the principle founder of the Luso-American Credit Union in 1960 and served as Treasurer and Manager for over 20 years. He was a guiding force that created the Wallis Tremont Realty Corporation and sought shareholders to erect the building on Tremont Street Corporation on Wallis Street. He was charter member and director of the former Citizen’ s Bank and Trust CO of Peabody. He was very active in the Portuguese Community in past years having organized the Portuguese-American Athletic Club, President of the Portuguese-American Civic Club of Peabody and also Secretary of the State Organization for two terms. He was a member of the Portuguese Benefit Society of Our Lady of Help over 60 years and at one time held the office of Recording Secretary. He was a life member of the Club Louis de Cameos and Peabody B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 1409. He also was a member of the Divino Spirito Santo Society, Peabody Council on Aging, and the Peabody Golden Age Club. He also was a past member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 508 and St. John’ s the Baptist Church Holy Name Society. He was active with the late Mayor Edward Spike Meaney in reorganizing the Junior Baseball League of Peabody. He also served on the Peabody City Council for two terms, representing the old Ward II. He was devoted to his children and grandchildren. He was also an avid gardener and spent much of his free time beautifying his property. He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Judith A. Geller of Hampton, NH, Ruth and Robert Louf of Peabody and Paula and Michael Jenkins of West Grove, PA; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Gloria Faria of St. Matthews, S.C., 7 grandchildren, Amy Maria Geller and her husband Gerry Peary, Alicia Ann Geller and her husband Aurelio Dominguez, Amanda Laura Geller, Sally Ann and Scott Jenkins, Julie Marie and James Robert Louf; a nephew and godson, Thomas Arnold Viana along with several other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the father of the late Laura Maria Faria and brother of Roy Faria. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM in St. John’ s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, C/O of St. John’ s Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody, MA 01960. or a charity of one’ s choice.