Arthur R Vakiener

Arthur “Art” was born on August 10, 1925, the son of Arthur R. Vakiener and Anna Powers Vakiener in Manhattan, New York. Art grew up on Staten Island and entered the United States Army at the age of 18. During his time of service, he defended his country in the Battle of the Bulge, spending three months living in an ice cave in the Ardennes.

After returning home from the war, he attended and graduated from Wagner College and went on to complete graduate studies at Fordham University. During graduate school, Art met his future wife, Catherine, and they were married on September 20, 1952.

He worked for Mobil Oil Corporation in Manhattan as Operations Manager for Mobil Overseas Oil for over 35 years. Initially he and Catherine lived in the Bronx and then moved their family to the suburbs of New York, settling in Mohegan Lake. Once Art and Catherine retired, they moved to Keene, New Hampshire to have proximity to both of the children’s families and enjoyed many happy years in their new community.

Art will be remembered most for his love of family and involvement in his children and grandchildren’s lives. He was an extremely generous man who was known for helping others. Art was an antique car enthusiast, music lover and avid reader.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Catherine Lynch Vakiener of Framingham, MA; his son Dr. Arthur R. Vakiener III and his wife Diane of Niskayuna, New York; daughter Margaret V. Shelley and her husband Frank of Sudbury; seven grandchildren, Jennifer K. Vakiener and her husband Alex Riccobono of Park Slope, New York, Kelly Vakiener of Medford, NJ, Michele Vakiener of Brooklyn, New York, Tracy Mokszycki and her husband Rob of Tinley Park, IL, Mary Kate, Ryan and Matthew Shelley of Sudbury, MA; five great grandchildren, Leo and Cole Riccobono, Ben Keith and Makenzie and Savannah Mokszycki. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Dennis, and by his infant daughter, Catherine.

Visitation hours are from 4-7 pm on Sunday, Jaunary 10, 2016 at the Duckett -f J. S. Waterman & Sons Home of Memorial Tribute, 656 Boston Post Road, Sudbury.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 160 Concord Road, Sudbury, on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 9 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.