NORWICH – Robert J. Arnell Jr. passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2010 in Binghamton.
He was born Jan. 1, 1926 to the late Lucy (Borrelli) and Robert Arnell Sr. in Pittsburgh, Pa.
He is survived by his wife Theodora (Haas) Arnell of 61 years (wed in Pittsburgh in 1949); and his children Barbara (Arnell) MacLennan and Col. Robert J. Arnell III & Robin (Smith) Arnell, Marc Arnell - Anne Murphy and 5 grandchildren, Christopher MacLennon, Robert J. Arnell IV, Christian Arnell, Catherine Arnell, Elizabeth Arnell and great-granddaughter Olivia Arnell.
Robert left Pittsburgh and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Alabama as a sailor/musician. When World War II ended, he went to Juilliard as one of the only 52 saxophone majors who ever went there. Later he received a B.A. in music from SUNY Albany. He did his graduate work at Ithaca College. Robert played with the Ringling Brothers Circus before moving to Chenango County. He was the Band Director and music teacher for 26 years at Otselic Valley Schools, then opened Arnell Music in Norwich.
The one constant of his entire life was to play music in live performances.
He was a Ccouncilman for the Town of Otselic. He served on the Otselic Valley School Board over 7 1/2 years. Robert was Commander of the American Legion Post #973 in South Otselic from 1971 - 1991. He was on the Executive Board of the Musician’s Union AFM Local 443, Oneonta, until his illness.
A celebration of his life will be in the Spring 2011 in Norwich, with the date to be determined.