Miguel A. Arce

ORANGE - Miguel A. Arce, 80 of 94 Warwick Rd., Orange, died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at his home.  He was born in Puerto Rico on April 24, 1931, the son of the late Juan and the late Prudencia (Navarro) Arce. He grew up in Puerto Rico and left to move to Westfield, MA when he was 22 years old. He moved to Orange in 1953.  Mr. Arce worked for Columbia Bicycle in Westfield; in the Tobacco Fields of Hadley, the Orange Foundry, John Royal in Paterson, NJ and the Charles G. Allen Foundry in Barre. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Orange. He was a handyman who could make and fix anything, a “Jack of all trades and a Master of all.” He was the family barber and dentist for his 10 loving children. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Jean A. (Hebert) Arce; five daughters, Diana M. Robichaud of Princeton, Gloria J. Leckner of Alexandria, VA, Luana E. Goewey of Athol, Carlina A. King of Orange, Sonya Y. Lenois of Athol; four sons, Michael A. Arce of Elkridge, MD, Santo L. Arce of Chicopee, Juan Ines Arce of Orange, Nelson C. Arce of Orange; twenty-two grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, two goddaughters, Lizette Gonzalez and Johanna Ruiz of New Jersey and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Eric D. Arce who died in 2001; and by six sisters, Carlina Arce, Saturnina Arce, Josefa Arce, Severiana Arce, Maria Arce, Arcadia Arce and by three brothers, Alejandro Navarro, Antonio Arce and Francisco Arce. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:00 am in St. Mary's Church, 19 Congress St., Orange. Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Orange. Calling hours will be held Monday, April 9, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Shriner's Hospital, 516 Carew St., West Springfield, MA 01089  or to the Bethany Lutheran Church Community Supper, PO Box 428, Orange, MA 01364. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskemurphymack.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.   $(document).ready(function(){ });