Arthur J. Negri

Arthur “Art” J. Negri, 93, of Danbury passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 with his wife Connie by his side. He was the husband of Concetta “Connie” Burdo Negri. Art was born in Danbury on August 28, 1919, the son of the late Antonio and Antoinette Tango Negri.

He attended St. Peter School in Danbury and was a 1938 graduate of Danbury High School, where he played baseball and was the quarterback of the football team. Art enlisted after graduation and served with the Army Air Force stationed in the European Theater of war. He was a side gunner on the B17 bomber and received the Bronze Star for saving the lives of four of his comrades. After the war Art enjoyed playing trumpet and began a record company in the area, promoting jazz artists. He love of music never left him. He also operated the Liberty Athletic Club, a men’s social club in Danbury. For the past 50 years, Art and Connie have owned M & M Ticket Agency in Danbury. During his career, he and his wife were responsible for bringing tickets to the Danbury area for the first Beatles Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City and then instrumental in the careers of music and concert promoters Jimmy Koplik and Shelly Finkel beginning with “Summer Jam at Watkins Glen New York in July of 1973. Artie enjoyed music, singing, and writing in his later years, but most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Art was predeceased by his sisters: Frances, Fanny, and Minnie, his brothers Warren and Joseph He was also predeceased by his beloved Lhasa Apso Desiree. Besides his wife Connie of 65 years, survivors include three daughters: Claudette Bleidner and her husband, James, of Southbury and Antoinette “Annette” Mathews of Southbury, Jeanette “Jenna” Grasa of Danbury. His four grandchildren: Andrew and Genevieve Bleidner, Austin Hull and Julia Grasa. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday December 19th at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Church, 8 Robinson Ave , Danbury Ct. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, 73 Lake Ave. Ext., Danbury Ct. There are no calling hours. Contributions in Art’s memory may be made to: Fairfield University Woman’s Crew Team, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.