Obituary for Arnold "Arnie" N. Grimaldi
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Arnold Nicholas Grimaldi on May 10, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Arnie was born December 13, 1947, in Springfield, Mass and resided in Enfield for his entire life, graduating from Enfield High in 1966. Arnie married his high school sweetheart Linda Mayo in 1969. He leaves his mother, Fannie Grimaldi of Enfield and was predeceased by his father, Nicholas D. Grimaldi in 1991.
Arnie was employed for many years as a photo lithographer at Combustion Engineering / ABB in Windsor. He later ran the Graphic Arts department at Westfield State College until his retirement, even receiving an honorary degree from Westfield State for all his hard work and dedication. Arnie volunteered for years with the Hazardville Fire Department as a photographer, which was a huge passion of his. He was a past communicant of Saint Martha’s church in Enfield and a longstanding member of the Mount Carmel Society. Arnie coached for Thompsonville Little League, coaching both of his sons for many years. He was also honored as Grand Marshal of the Enfield Fourth of July parade in 2017. Arnie enjoyed target shooting at the Agawam Revolver Club and played rec softball and hockey for many years. He had great memories of getting up at 4am to hit T. R. Fitness Center and Gold’s Gym, where he made lasting relationships with many people. Many Friday nights he’d cart his son Joe and his BMX crew to the X races at Whip City in Westfield, where Arnie also made friends. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, especially Thursday night dinners at home with his family and Friday nights with his friends at the Country Diner. Arnie loved to cook almost as much as he loved his grandchildren.
In addition to his soulmate Linda, he is survived by his son Nicholas and wife Kristi; his grandchildren Isabella, Anthony and Dominic; his son Joseph and wife Elizabeth; his sister Joanne Pirog and husband Louis of Orlando, Florida; his aunt Mary Boire of Westfield, Mass; his uncle Joseph Calcasola and wife Linda of Bloomfield; his sister in laws Carol Himmelright of Las Vegas, Nevada and Kathy Keller and brother-in-law Carl Alba of Pompano Beach, Florida; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many beloved lifelong friends. Anyone who knew Arnie was blessed to have him in their lives. In addition to his father, Arnie was predeceased by his niece Jill Pirog Lewis; his mother-in-law Berniece Alba; and two brothers-in-law, Luke Keller and Donald Himmelright. Arnie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Parkway Pavilion in Enfield for their wonderful care at the end of his life.
Relatives and friends may join his family on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:00 am in St. Patrick Church (St. Jeanne Jugan Parish) Enfield.(Please go directly to Church) Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s King St. Cemetery, Enfield. In lieu of flowers memorial donation may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Arnie was employed for many years as a photo lithographer at Combustion Engineering / ABB in Windsor. He later ran the Graphic Arts department at Westfield State College until his retirement, even receiving an honorary degree from Westfield State for all his hard work and dedication. Arnie volunteered for years with the Hazardville Fire Department as a photographer, which was a huge passion of his. He was a past communicant of Saint Martha’s church in Enfield and a longstanding member of the Mount Carmel Society. Arnie coached for Thompsonville Little League, coaching both of his sons for many years. He was also honored as Grand Marshal of the Enfield Fourth of July parade in 2017. Arnie enjoyed target shooting at the Agawam Revolver Club and played rec softball and hockey for many years. He had great memories of getting up at 4am to hit T. R. Fitness Center and Gold’s Gym, where he made lasting relationships with many people. Many Friday nights he’d cart his son Joe and his BMX crew to the X races at Whip City in Westfield, where Arnie also made friends. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, especially Thursday night dinners at home with his family and Friday nights with his friends at the Country Diner. Arnie loved to cook almost as much as he loved his grandchildren.
In addition to his soulmate Linda, he is survived by his son Nicholas and wife Kristi; his grandchildren Isabella, Anthony and Dominic; his son Joseph and wife Elizabeth; his sister Joanne Pirog and husband Louis of Orlando, Florida; his aunt Mary Boire of Westfield, Mass; his uncle Joseph Calcasola and wife Linda of Bloomfield; his sister in laws Carol Himmelright of Las Vegas, Nevada and Kathy Keller and brother-in-law Carl Alba of Pompano Beach, Florida; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many beloved lifelong friends. Anyone who knew Arnie was blessed to have him in their lives. In addition to his father, Arnie was predeceased by his niece Jill Pirog Lewis; his mother-in-law Berniece Alba; and two brothers-in-law, Luke Keller and Donald Himmelright. Arnie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Parkway Pavilion in Enfield for their wonderful care at the end of his life.
Relatives and friends may join his family on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:00 am in St. Patrick Church (St. Jeanne Jugan Parish) Enfield.(Please go directly to Church) Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s King St. Cemetery, Enfield. In lieu of flowers memorial donation may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-1942.