John J. “Jack” Arena, age 84, of Boston, died Thursday, October 14, 2021, in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers after a long illness. He was the husband of Rosemarie (Pitzi) Arena, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Lynn, he was the son of the late Simon J. and Grace M. (Nicoletti) Arena. He had also lived in Marblehead before moving to Boston over 40 years ago. John was a graduate of Lynn English High School, class of 1954. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from Yale University in 1958, 1960 and 1960, respectively.
John had a long career as an economist, working as Vice Chairman of Baybank, Inc., and President of Endowment Management. He served as Economic Counselor to the Secretary of the US Treasury, and as a Monetary Economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. John was Past President of the Boston Economics Club and the Boston Association of Business Economists, the Past Director and Chairman of the 330 Board of Trustees, and Past Vice President of the National Association of Business Economists.
In addition to his wife, Rosemarie, he is survived by his son, Mark V. Arena and his wife Katy J. Arena of Houston, TX; his daughter-in-law Kristine M. Arena of Lexington; his grandsons David P. and Andrew J. Arena of Lexington; his brother, Angelo R. Arena and his wife Alice of Naples, FL; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Frank Pitzi of Nahant, Ann Callahan and her husband Neil of Nahant and Carlene Nimblett and her husband Tom of Mesa, AZ; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was the father of the late Michael J. Arena; and brother of the late Angelina Serafini and her late husband John. Visiting Hours: His Memorial Mass was held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church, Marblehead. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Those who prefer may make donations to Kaplan Family Hospice House/Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.