Arthur “Art” Sweetman passed away peacefully at the age of ninety-nine, on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022.
Arthur lived a life of persistence, dedication, and ingenuity. His family was always the most important thing in his life, and he worked tirelessly to ensure they were provided for. He was the devoted husband of 72 years to Pauline (1928-2020), loving father to five children: Donna Morris, Arthur Sweetman Jr. (1956-2013) ) Paula-Jean Sweetman, Steven Sweetman and Scott Sweetman (1961-1995). Grandfather to seven grandchildren: Taylor (Morris) Larsen and Jordan Morris, Charles and Samuel Sweetman, Jacob and Ian Washburn and Nicole Sweetman. Great Grandfather to Olivia and Emilie Larsen and Ann Sweetman.
Born March 4,1923, in Melrose Massachusetts to William George Sweetman and Clara (MacFarland) Sweetman. He grew up in Canton, with his four brothers: Charles, William, Frances, Walter and three sisters; Vera, Winifred, and Marjorie. He is survived by his sister Marjorie of Dighton, Massachusetts and several nieces and nephews.
Arthur graduated from Canton high school in 1940. Following high school he went to work in the Fore River shipyards as a welder until March 29,1944 when he enlisted in the United States Army. His battalion, 244th Engineer Combat, landed in Central Europe on November 10, 1944, and he served in the Eastern European theater until the war’s end. He returned home with a rank of Technical Sergeant on May 28,1946. He was forever proud of his service to our country. Arthur and Pauline (Polly) Ruth Jones were married on December 31,1947.
For the next 8 years he worked as a mechanic and tester for Cahill Motor Co in Brockton. He left Cahill to open his own automotive sales and repair shop in Raynham prior to beginning his career in education. He began taking courses at Fitchburg State Teachers College in 1954 and a year later he was hired as part of a small vocational department at Wareham high school where he taught vocational education for 13 years, until 1968.
Continuing his courses on Saturdays and during vacations he gradually accumulated the semester hours he needed and, in1963 - a father of five by then - he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. That wasn’t the end of his education however, it was the beginning of graduate studies in guidance and teaching, on a time available basis, at Bridgewater State, Boston State, and Fitchburg Colleges.
In high school he played hockey. But as a father, teacher, and student most leisure activities were out. He did take two-weeks “off” every summer at which time he and Polly would pack up the five kids, and sometimes a cat, in the station wagon and set out with their 17-foot travel trailer to somewhere, anywhere, for two weeks of family vacation.
In 1963 he became a member of the regional planning board for the Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational -Technical School (UCCR) and a member of the original Regional School District committee - elected as secretary in 1964, a position he held for 20 years.
In 1968 Arthur was hired as Guidance Counselor for the future UCCR. He was involved with a myriad of activities associated with the opening of a new school; but was specifically responsible for visiting the schools and community organizations of member towns to educate them on the value of a vocational education and facilitate enrollment. He served in this position until he was promoted to the position of assistant director in 1970. In January 1971 he was promoted to the position of Superintendent Director, a position he held for 13 years before retiring in 1984. He often reflected on the times as a child when his brother would bring him to watch the digging of the Cape Cod canal. The dirt that was removed from the canal site was piled atop the hill where UCCR now stands.
Arthur was a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Administrators, serving on the executive board for several years. He was also a member of the MA School Superintendents Assoc., the American Association of School Administrators, the Cape & Islands Superintendents Assoc., the Old Colony Superintendents Association and a lifetime member of the Wareham Elks. He was a leader and a mentor to countless young men and women. Even at the age of 99 he enjoyed visits at his home from former students.
Following retirement Arthur and Pauline enjoyed spending time at their home on the Bay in the summer, and their winter travels to Florida where they eventually resided seasonally in Vero Beach until 2020 when Polly passed away. Arthur was accomplished, admired, dedicated to family and friends, and loved by those he held dear. He will be greatly missed; we pray his legacy will live on.
Arthur and Pauline’s’ friends and family are welcome to attend a brief graveside burial on Wednesday, December 28th, 2:00 pm at the Sandwich Town Cemetery where Arthur, along with Pauline, will be laid to rest beside their sons Arthur Jr. and Scott. May their memories be eternal. Arthur will be buried with full military honors.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Arthur Sweetman Memorial Scholarship - Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, 220 Sandwich Rd., Bourne, MA 02532