Claude Robert MacArthur, Jr.

Claude “Mac” MacArthur, 84,  of Spring Hill, and formerly Pawling NY passed to his next great adventure on May 11, 2013. Born in New York State, he grew up mainly in the rural village of Amenia. NY. He joined the US Army in 1946, after unsuccessfully attempting to join when only 15. He became a Signal Corp Operator under the call sign of W4TAU, which he still used with the Spring Hill Amateur Ham Radio Club.In 1951, while married to his first wife Isabelle, he began working for the NYC Railroad as a telegraph agent. He then began a long career in appliance repair  mostly with GE.  Mac joked that the Mafia households always requested him because he “knew not to talk”.  He was a boy scout leader, little league coach, volunteer fireman, and officer in the Civic Association. He served as color guard and committee member for the Pawling Bicentennial celebration.Mac moved to Spring Hill in1976. Still working for GE, Mac found time to participate actively in his community: founding member of SHS band boosters, past President of VFW Post 10209 and 1st Cavalry Association, member of American Legion Post 186, and SHARC. His hobbys included hunting, fishing, golfing, landscape painting and boating.  He enjoyed time meeting other “relatives” in the Clan MacArthur Scottish Society. He retired from GE in 1990.  As another of his passions was driving, he eventually took a position with J & M Limo until last year when the insurance company mistook him for an old man! This generous, loving man is survived by his wife of 32 years Kathleen as well as his and her children: Eileen (David)Johnson and Karen (Peter) MacKinnon, MA; Colleen (Mike) Hurley, NH; Maureen MacArthur, NY; Terrence (Dana) MacArthur, UT; Donald MacArthur, SC; Kelly (Darryl) Garman, Debbie (Vince) Rubrecht, Jack McMurdo, FL as well as their spouses. He has been loved and adored by his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives in Oh, NY, Ct, Fl, and SC.. He is also survived by his brother, Donald MacArthur, and wife Rina of NY, as well their daughter Lynn Morse of Ma.. A great loss to Mac was that of the death of his grandson, Bob Arick MacArthur in 2011. Visitation for friends will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill Chapel. A funeral mass will be conducted 10am Thursday, May 16, 2013 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Macs memory can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project @ woundedwarriorproject.org. Donation envelopes will also be available at the Wake and Funeral service. A memorial service will also be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, NY on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10am.

Arrangements by

Merritt Funeral Home

Spring Hill Chapel

352/ 686-6649

"Family Owned & Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com