Peter R. Arena, Sr born March 12, 1955, of Rockland, passed away unexpectedly on October 1st at South Shore Hospital at the age of 69. He was the son of the late Joseph H. and Mary C. (Balonis) Arena. Brother to the late Joseph V. Arena of Brockton, James E. Arena of Hanson, the late Harry C. Arena of Rockland, the late Karen M. (Murray) Davis of Lampassas, TX, Robert Arena of Kingston & Paul L. Arena of Rockland as well as a dedicated Brother in law. He was also the proud uncle to many nieces and nephews and best friend to Dave Hatch, who was more like a brother to him.
He married the love of his life, Debby (Taylor) in 1977. In September, they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. In 1980 they were blessed with twins, Stacey and Peter Jr. Peter and Debby raised their children in Rockland. After graduating, Stacey joined the Army and moved to Pecos, Texas while Pete started his own family just a couple miles down the road in Pembroke, MA.
Peter was the beloved father-in-law to Jimmy Leonard and Claire (Tlasek-Mercer) Arena whom he loved as much as if they were his own. He was “Guido” to his most prized possessions: His 5 grandchildren Samantha, Caleb, Brock, Via, and Isabella.
Peter was a lifelong resident of Rockland and graduated from Rockland High School in 1974. Upon graduating Peter worked for Leo Lanzillotta & Son of Hanover. In 1980, he began work with P.A. Landers of Hanover where he was a dedicated and loyal employee for the next 44 years. He formed many lifelong relationships and friendships with his bosses, co-workers, administrative assistants, and hundreds of others whom he met “in the business”. He considered his Landers family, his second family.
Above all, Peter was a family man. He spent his whole life camping, traveling, cruising, attending New England Fairs, and was occasionally known to pull his share of slot machine handles... all with the ones he loved the most. He loved to get away up North to New Hampshire where he would spend weekends away at “The Farm” in Barnstead. He loved attending the annual Hot Air Balloon Rally in Pittsfield, NH, apple picking, taking day trips to explore the white mountains, or just hanging out with family and playing some intense games of cribbage with his favorite card partner, his brother Paul.
There was nothing more that Peter looked forward to than his annual vacation out west to visit his Texas family in Pecos. He was always excited to hang out in the Texas sun, spend time with Stacey, Jimmy, Caleb, Brock, Sam, and Stacey's “out-laws”. While in Texas they would make many road trips. A few of his favorites were to Riodosio, NM, The Southfork Ranch in Dallas, The Stockyards, and of course his first trip to Buc-ees.

Peter also enjoyed all the time he spent with his son and his family as well. He lovingly referred to his granddaughters Via and Isabella as “his girls” and his Daughter-in-law Claire as “Dear”. He was always helping “Little Pete” or “Peter Jr” with some project around his Pembroke house. Together they installed a Fire Pit area, built a deck, re-built an attached garage, and along with the aid of “his girls”, built them a clubhouse with a performance stage and all.
Peter honored his roots. He helped with the family trucking business: be it driving, laboring, plowing or keeping equipment in working order. He was always there for his brothers and sister and during family reunions he made it a point to talk to everyone in attendance. He wanted to know what was going on in all of their lives. He was a lifelong member of the Sons of Italy. It meant a lot to him to celebrate his father’s heritage and maybe win a turkey or two at the turkey shoot.
When time permitted, Peter enjoyed his quiet time, his time to relax, whether it was fishing, teaching his grandkids how to play cribbage, scratching a few scratch tickets, watching one of his favorite TV shows, catching a Pats game, sitting by a fire, or napping. (But he will never admit that he was sleeping...He was just “resting his eyes”)
Peter touched so many lives for which we are all blessed. He was a great husband, a great dad, a great “Guido” to his grandkids, a great brother, and a great uncle. He was genuinely an all around great guy, he had a love of life and family like no other, a smirk that would make some nervous, a teller of many stories, and a man with a heart of gold. He will truly be missed by so many.
The family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate his life at Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home. Visiting hours will be on Monday October 7, 2024 from 5 PM to 8 PM at 135 Union Street in Rockland, MA. A Funeral Service will be held at Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home on Tuesday October 8, 2024 at 10 AM Interment to follow at Mt Pleasant