Obituary: Arthur 'Art' Reynolds Mead, 89, Formerly Of Old Greenwich

Obituary submitted by Scott Mead

Arthur “Art” Reynolds Mead, 89, a resident of Vero Beach, FL and, who for many years resided in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at Anchor Care & Rehabilitation in Palm Bay, FL after a brief respiratory illness. He was a direct descendant of John Mead, one of the original founders of Greenwich in the 1640s.

The son of the late David Irving Mead and Edna (Fleming) Mead, Art was born on October 1, 1934, at his family’s home in Old Greenwich. He is survived by his wife Joan, and their son, Scott both of Vero Beach, FL as well as three siblings: Clara Santora (Frank) of Stamford, CT; Ruth Mead (Dorothy) of The Villages, FL; and Harold Mead (Jane) of Columbus, OH. He was predeceased by his three other siblings: Edna May Mead; David Mead, Jr. (Audrey) and Robert Mead (Helen).

Educated in the Greenwich Public School system, Art attended Old Greenwich School, later attending Edgewater School in Greenwich where he graduated in 1953.

In 1957, Art enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed his basic training at Cherry Point, NC. He served three years through 1960 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He continued his service as an inactive member of the Marines from 1960 to 1963.

While serving in the Marines, Art’s sister, Clara, introduced him to Joan Smigowski of Byram. Joan and Art were wed on December 13,1958 at The Diamond Hill Methodist Church in Cos Cob, CT and remained married for 65 very happy years.

In 1963, Art joined the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier serving his Old Greenwich community through 1969. That year, he joined S.P. Palmer & Sons Plumbing Contractors in Old Greenwich as a plumber’s assistant where he worked through 1980.

Relocating with his wife Joan, they first settled in Lauderdale by the Sea, FL where he worked in property management for DCA Homes from 1980 through 1989. Art and Joan then moved to Vero Beach, FL where Art continued his property management career with CCSI on John’s Island.

Art was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge as well as the Model A Ford Club of America. He was a proud owner of a lovingly restored Model A automobile which he drove in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Old Greenwich for many years.

A devoted and avid New York Yankees’ fan, Art attended numerous games at Yankee Stadium during his youth and through his adult years and his devotion to the Yankees continued upon his move to Florida where he attended Spring Training games for over 40 years oftentimes with his wife Joan and son, Scott.

In addition to his relatives, Art is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and by his goddaughter, Susan Mead Redston of Monroe, CT.

Services for Art will be private.