Eddie Arroyo

He is survived by his three children: Edward Arroyo, Mark Arroyo, and Jennie Santana, as well as his two cherished grandchildren, Evan and Fiona.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1947, Eddie lived there until the age of five before moving to Indiana with his parents and ten siblings. In Northern Indiana, he attended Emerson High School, where he met the love of his life, Rosemary Arroyo. Their romance blossomed into a beautiful marriage that lasted 49 years—a love story worthy of books and movies.

Before marrying Rosemary, Eddie enlisted in the United States Army. His service took him to bases in Germany, Hawaii, and Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Eddie was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor, a testament to his bravery and dedication.

While stationed in Hawaii, Eddie discovered his second great love—speed. Whether cruising the island in his GTO Judge or riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Eddie embraced adventure with quiet confidence. One of his most memorable journeys was a solo cross-country ride from California to Indiana on his Harley, navigating only with a map and road signs, long before the days of GPS and smartphones. That ride brought him back to Rosemary, and in 1971, they were married. Four years later, they welcomed their first child, Edward.

Eddie’s love for adventure never waned, even as he embraced fatherhood. He traded his GTO for a boat and water skis, and his motorcycle for a dune buggy. He was a devoted husband and father, always present in his children’s lives—volunteering at their schools, coaching baseball, attending all their games, and often being the only dad on field trips.

In 1984, Eddie and Rosemary moved their family to Florida in search of a brighter future. They thrived there for nearly four decades. Eddie worked at the Peabody Hotel, where his warm personality and quick wit made him a beloved figure among guests and staff alike.

Eddie will be remembered for his sharp humor, love of westerns, sports, and coffee—three passions he enjoyed daily until the end. His legacy lives on in the laughter he shared, the stories he told, and the love he gave so freely.

Though deeply missed by family and friends, we take comfort in knowing Eddie has been reunited with his beloved Rosemary.

The family kindly requests that those attending Eddie’s celebration of life wear yellow or floral prints in honor of his reunion with Rosemary in heaven—a tribute to the flowers he always brought her and the enduring love they shared.