Arturo Rafael Peña

10-22-1966 – 2-14-2018

Arturo Rafael Peña age 51, passed away February 14, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center. With his wife at his side to close his eyes. He had been battling illnesses for a few years and contracted a bacteria that he could no longer fight off.  Art was born the oldest to the late Dominicans, Arturo A Peña and Amantina Peña, in San Juan, Purto Rico. He was a first year American. Later his father had another Son Fernando and 2 daughters Kisaira and Karla. He was raised by his mother in Waterbury, CT and was a good student. He survived getting hit by a car twice,at different times, and getting his arm stitched up - after falling on a plate- without novicane. Yes he was stubborn. He hated needles. But after that, they weren't so bad and let phlebotomists use him as a pin cushion.  He graduated Sacred Hart High School and went on to Colgate University. Until his moms car accident, when he switched to Southern Connecticut State University but never graduated.  He had a few jobs growing up. Worked at Waterbury Republican, spoke of the staff and weird ads people would place. And St Marys Hospital, and scaring the nurses with his skelteton make up. but in the end he was a brilliant software engineer for about 30 years.  He bought a 89 black ford probe right off the truck. He was upset that they'd let another drive it. So it had 11 miles on it when he picked it up. He loved going to NYC or just out for a drive with the boys.  He loved his history, model planes, firece dragons and the Yankees. Thought soup was just dirty water and hated broccoli. But loved phö and sushi with his girls.  He was a very carring man. He usually had a gift card in the car to hand out to a homeless person. Even while he was between homes recently, he still would help whomever, however he could.  He met his wife online in summer of 1997. Started dating in march 98. He asked her to marry him 3x. First was 6 weeks in, but too soon, then in Dec of 99. And finally on Valentines weekend in 00, the ring he and his best friends wife had designed had finally showed up.  He married her, Sarah Shalom Dillingham, on May 6, 2000 in New London, CT at the Radisson Inn.   He was so excited and loved  being a father to Allison Ella, Talia Kayleigh - he did love Marrilion- and Lydia Sarah. He was a big teddy bear that was always hot, till lately. Now the world is a little colder without him, but our hearts will stay warm with his memories. He will forever be in our hearts.