Arthur Penn

Arthur Penn was a man of sparkling wit, peerless hustle and uncommon humanity, qualities that served him in business as well as in his 66-year marriage to Ruth, who survives him along with his family.

Arthur was born to Sarah and Rubin Penn (Popokh), Russian immigrants who landed in Boston in 1921. The youngest of five children and the only son, Arthur came of age in an era of opportunity and seized it every chance he could. In fifth grade, he wrapped discarded chianti bottles in raffia to paint and sell as candle holders to the R.H. White department store in Boston. Later, he bought a rotisserie machine and sold BBQ chicken at a strip mall with his mother/business partner Sarah, whose love language was baking. "Talk to me, my son,” she’d say, plying Arthur with her homemade strudel.

Along came Ruth, a bright, blue-eyed young Canadian he met through mutual friends. It wasn't necessarily an obvious match, but Ruth was taken by her charismatic, impeccably-dressed suitor and his killer work ethic. Seven days a week, he printed photos and shot weddings for Bachrach Photography in Boston, until one of his bosses suggested sales as a more advantageous path for a young person with so much personality.

So Arthur, whose father was a designer of women’s clothing, turned to the apparel industry. He responded to a newspaper ad about a job selling Enro shirts. He was told to call back after the sales meeting the following day. He turned up uninvited to that meeting — because that's how Arthur Penn did things — and landed a job on the spot, launching a legendary 40-year run that culminated in a senior executive role with Enro.

While building the business, Arthur spent weeks at a time visiting customers at shops throughout New England. He missed home, but his work was his passion and hobby. He cherished the friendships he fostered and the reputation he established as a top salesman and trusted advisor on matters of business and pretty much anything else. Arthur also took pride in working with his wife and two daughters, who joined him in building a thriving family sales agency.

It wasn't all work for Arthur, a world-class kibbitzer who could find conversational common ground with just about anyone and had great fun doing so. Asked why he was so big on chatting up strangers, Arthur simply said, "I know everything about myself and nothing about that person." Not surprisingly, he loved a party, especially when he had the mic. His warm but edgy toasts were always an event — you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, but the jokes always landed.

Arthur was a devoted husband, father and friend who was adored by many and will be missed by his wife, Ruth; his kids Sharon (Tim Smith), Rhonda (Harvey Shanbaum), Allan (Lisa Penn), Faye (Joel Tishcoff); eight grandchildren and many friends and relatives. Special thanks to his caregivers, whose skill and compassion sustained the Penn family during Arthur’s final chapter.

For those who wish to donate in Arthur’s memory, the family has selected the Community Foundation of Sarasota’s Season of Sharing campaign, which connects neighbors on the brink of homelessness with the basics they need. https://www.cfsarasota.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Penn family.