DUDLEY – Roger R. Arpin, 76, died Saturday, January 23, 2021 in Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family.
He was born on April 7, 1944 in Southbridge and raised in West Dudley. At the time he married, he resided on Elm Street in Webster before returning to his childhood home in West Dudley. Mr. Arpin cherished his family most of all and took a keen interest in his genealogy. He endeavored in tracing his lineage back to his ancestral homeland and succeeded in finding immigration documents, birth, marriage, and death certificates from relatives dating back to the 1500s. He held his wife and family in high esteem and considered them his greatest successes in his life.
Mr. Arpin served in the Army National Guard for several years, before eventually accepting what would be his life-long career as a postal clerk at the Webster Post Office until his retirement. His family credits his exceptional organizational skills to his time at the post office and continue to be impressed with his remarkable record-keeping in the wake of his passing. He is remembered fondly for his unexpected quips hilariously delivered with the driest form of humor those closest to him know best.
His most treasured moments were his time spent outdoors. He was most at peace with nature, whether deep in the forest among the wildlife or far out in the ocean floating amidst the waves off the coast of Cape Cod with his wife. He asserted his favorite pastime to be hunting, but despite all his preparation and scouting, he purposefully never returned with a trophy. To put it plainly, Mr. Arpin hunted often, but he never killed. His respect for the natural world was one of his purest, most sincere expressions of love. He will be sorely missed.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Gail M. (Daskowski) Arpin; 3 children, Suzette M. Mantha and her companion John of Webster, Troy R. Arpin and his companion Kristen of Woodstock, CT and Nicole L. Lawrence and her husband Jason of Stafford Springs, CT; 7 grandchildren, Zachary, Brittany, and Ethan Mantha, Kaylee and Brooke Arpin, and Nathan and Cameron Lawrence; a brother, Gerald Arpin and his wife Jackie of Thompson, CT; 2 sisters, Claire Burgess of Dudley, Linda Carter and her husband Charles of Holden; a brother-in-law Alfred Marks; nieces and nephews. Mr Arpin is predeceased by his parents Romeo and Rose Arpin; brother-in-law John Burgess; and sister, Lorraine Marks, who died in December.
No funeral services or calling hours are planned at this time due to state gathering restrictions.
Donations in his name may be made in support of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.