Arthur E. Fay, 93; Former West Hartford Deputy Mayor

From Molloy Funeral Home

Arthur E. Fay (Dec 7, 1922 – March 18, 2016), died surrounded by love. He is survived by his five children and four spouses, Peter Fay (Lois), Susan Fay-Wilcox (Jeremy), Elaine Fay-Coelho (Carl), Mary Lee Fay, Sarah Fay (Richard Watkins), 10 grandchildren and six spouses, Gage Fay, Trevor Fay, Maigret Fay (Nick Thiltgen), Spencer Wilcox (Amber), Katharine Crawford (Ben), Sarah Caldwell (Ruben), Alex Coelho (Christina), Chris Coelho (Maureen), Colleen Coelho and Grace Watkins;10 great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members and friends.

He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dee, parents Dr. William Fay and Rena, and siblings David, Bill and Jean.

Arthur served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army (1943 – 1946) and participated in the Philippine liberation and the occupation of Japan. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from Trinity College in 1947, and worked in management at Southern New England Telephone Company from 1947 – 1986, where he oversaw more than 300 staff.

He served five terms on the West Hartford Town Council with two terms as Deputy Mayor, and led numerous contributions to the community including the building of the Veterans Memorial Ice Rink and the Westfarms Mall. He also served as President of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church (1968 – 1970), and Vice President of Greater Hartford Junior Chamber.

Arthur was appointed by Governor Weiker to be the Chairman of the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA). He left the CRRA in excellent financial condition when he ended his term in 1997.

Arthur was hugely active in his community: member of Old Guard since 1986 and President for two years (1987 -1989), Program Chairman 18 of the 20 years, and Story Teller all 20 years, and recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award in 2014. He also served for Meals on Wheels for 17 years, volunteered more than 500 hours to UCONN Medical Center, mentored underprivileged teens through The Bridge program, and was a bell ringer for Salvation Army for seven years.

Over the last two years, Arthur lived in Chatfield Independent Living where he led Headlines and Deadlines, and was an active resident. He helped countless people in their careers and lives, and will be missed by so many for his sharp mind and well known sense of humor which he maintained until his last days.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 2 beginning with visitation at 9 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford, with a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmy.org.

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