Arthur J. Lenna, 88, died on Wednesday morning, March 6, 2019, at his home in Vineyard Haven. Arthur was a resident of Martha’s Vineyard for the past 25 years.
Arthur was born in the Bronx on June 4, 1930, the son of John A. and Edith (Flick) Lenna. Arthur was an altar boy for St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral in the Bronx. The family moved to Rockland County, N.Y., when he was a teenager, and he graduated from the Nyack high school. He enlisted in 1951 in the Army, where he served with distinction in the 7th Infantry as an artillery gunner, and was honorably discharged in 1953.
Arthur worked in the automotive industry as a car mechanic and service and parts manager. Arthur enjoyed cars and motorcycles, and was a member of a Muncie, N.Y., motorcycle club, riding his Triumph. He also enjoyed bowling in the classic league in Spring Valley, N.Y.
In 1995 he moved to Martha’s Vineyard and worked at Old Colony Car Service, and at 75 he retired to work luggage handling for the Steamship Authority in Vineyard Haven. Arthur was well-known throughout the community as a friendly, kind, and generous people person. Arthur was a frequent patron of the Ocean View restaurant and bar. In 2006 he met Linda (West) Kurth at the Ocean View, and they were married in 2013.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; brother, Jerry Way; and sister, Lori (Way) Morris; his children, Deborah, Arthur Jr., Gary, Douglas, John, Jeffrey, and Jane. He was predeceased by his older brother, James Lenna, a 20-year veteran with the Merchant Marine.
A graveside burial service in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven with full military honors will be held on June 4 at 2 pm.
Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, or to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, 111 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, both in Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.
