Harry Enrico Arnini of West Hartford, beloved husband of Helen (Ljungquist)Arnini died March 15, 2016. Born in Hartford, son of Elvino and Lodovina (Gili) Arnini, born Fossombrone, Italy.
He received the Sara J. Smith Art Award at graduation from Hartford Public High School in 1942. He was class President while at New Britain Teachers College (CCSU) and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. He studied at Alfred University for ceramics, the Julius Hartt School of Music, New York University (I.A. Education) the Hartford Art School and took Red Cross Training courses in Life Saving and Aquatic Training.
Mr Arnini taught Industrial Arts at Thomaston High School from 1946-1955, Arts and Crafts at Talcott Junior High School, West Hartford from 1955-1979, and at Conard High School, West Hartford from 1979-1982. For seven years he was ceramic instructor at Central Connecticut State University Evening Program. During the summers from 1959-1970 he was Pool Director at Tumblebrook Country Club, West Hartford.
As a child, Mr Arnini had polio. He learned to walk in the Hartford YMCA pool. Aside from teaching, he made it his life’s work to help children gain mobility through the use of water rehabilitation therapy.
Harry was active in Boy Scouting and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 2 in Thomaston from 1950-1956. For twenty-three years he ran the Handicapped Swim Program for the American Red Cross, Hartford Chapter. He was a communicant of the Church of St Brigid, West Hartford, a member of the church choir for thirty years, a President on the Parish Council and a chairman on the Social Action Committee of the parish.
He was active in the Hartford, Waterbury and New Britain Y.M.C.A. programs since 1936. He was a Fourth Degree Knight member in good standing of the Knights of Columbus for 68 years, and a Charter Member of the St. Brigid Council # 14216. He was a member of the Insurance City Chorus (Barbershoppers) SPEBSQSA, the “Out-To-Lunch Bunch” large quartet, the West Hartford Art League, the Connecticut Model A Restorer's Club, the Rockledge Men’s Club, West Hartford Squires, Wadsworth Athenaeum, American Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut, the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Sierra Club and the Society of Connecticut Craftsmen.
Harry is survived by his brother, Fulvio (Paul) Arnini, of Rocky Hill, CT, three daughters: Frances Quish of Hartford, CT, her husband Greg Quish and their daughter Katie Quish, Christin Arnini of Bethany, CT, and Bonnie Youmans of West Hartford, CT, her husband, Rick Youmans, their son Alan Michael Page, and daughters, Elise Youmans, and Kellie Youmans.
In keeping with Harry’s wishes his body was donated to medical science at the UCONN School of medicine, Farmington, CT. There will be calling hours on (Thursday),March 17, 2016 from 4-7PM at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, CT. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St Brigid,1088 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, CT on (Friday), March 18, 2016 at 10AM. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington Ave, Hartford, CT 06106.