Shrewsbury – Richard “Rick” Arent, 67, of Shrewsbury, passed away at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home Friday, April 12, 2013 after a courageous and valiant fight with cancer for a second time. Rick leaves his wife and best friend, Kathie (Trank) Arent, to whom he would have been married for 40 years in November.
Rick was born in Cambridge, the son of the late Dr. Anthony and Helen (Dobrowolski) Arent. He grew up in Leicester and Oxford, and graduated from Oxford High School, Worcester Junior College, and Western New England College. He was very proud to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era.
He loved being a Sailor and this prompted many hearty discussions and laughs with his Marine father-in-law Bill and his Marine brother-in-law Rich! However, the battlefield was leveled since one of his favorite uncles (Bill Perry) was also a Sailor!
Rick spent most of his entire working life “working on the railroad” (Penn Central/Conrail/CSX) in many various positions. He loved the railroad and everyone knew it, since he talked about in endlessly!
He had many, many interests and was an avid learner, inventor, and “fixer” of everything! He loved to read and watch television and he covered a wide range of topics from history to science to the study of all religions to outer space/aliens to conspiracy theories to government /politics to animals to human behavior, etc. etc. These interests prompted spirited discussions and lively debates!
He loved going to antique shops, flea markets (especially Brimfield), motorcycle swap meets, and many, many (early in the morning) car swap meets with his friend Kenny. He loved the ocean and his summer trips to the Cape with his family were times to treasure! Rick loved working on his house and yard but his true passion, his whole life, was his love of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. To his dying day he designed and dreamed of building his beloved “sportster.” May you build it and ride forever “pain-free” in heaven Rickye!!
Besides his wife, Rick is survived, and will be greatly missed, by his brother, Paul Arent and his wife Joy; his sister, Susan Gallant and her husband Bob; his sister, Carol Laprade and her husband Ed; his mother-in-law, Helen (O”Donnell) Trank; his sister-in-law, Eileen Voutas and her husband Rich; his brother-in-law, Billy Trank and his wife Sharon; his sister-in-law, Mary Grace Wood; his sister-in-law, Anita Trank; his sister-in-law, Linda Golden and her husband Rick; his brother-in-law, Steve Trank and his wife Vicky; and his sister-in-law, Tracy Trank. He also leaves 20 nephews and nieces that he loved and cherished so very much! In addition to his parents, Rick was predeceased by his Uncle Joe Dobrowolski, whom he loved immensely; his father-in-law, Bill Trank; his sister-in-law, Debi Trank; and his brother-in-law, Brian Trank. Not to be excluded, or ever forgotten, he also leaves his two feline buddies, TJ and Max.
A special thank you to the entire staff at Rose Monahan Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Rick, and also to Dr. Jennifer Reidy and, the angel nurse, Melanie Vincuilla, on the 7th floor east at UMass Memorial – University Campus.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Rick's life at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20 at Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. There are no calling hours and internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, 10 Judith Rd., Worcester, MA 01602 or to the Sterling Animal Shelter, 17 Laurelwood Rd., Sterling, MA 01564.
