Arnold S Rice

Arnold S. Rice, 82, of Southwick, died June 18, 2014 at Noble Hospital, Westfield , MA. Born February 16,1932 to Stanley H. and E.Madeline (Cole) Rice of Hinsdale, MA.

He graduated from Pittsfield, MA High School in 1949.

A Navy veteran, he served four years in the Atlantic and Mediterranian fleets during the Korean War aboard the destroyer USS Bordelon, DDR881, as an electronics technician.

At Berkshire Community College and North Adams State College, Mr. Rice earned a BS in Business Administration, attending evening classes. He worked in various capacities for the General Electric Co. for 37 years, retiring as a manager of production and inventory control at the former GE plant in Rome,GA.

A life long musician, he enjoyed playing the trombone. It is said that his first paid performances were played in establishments where he was to young to order certain beverages. An advocate of the Community Band movement he performed with many organizations such as The Eagles Band, the Pitsfield Concert Band and the Royal Garden Jazz Band of Berkshire County, The Brewster Band of Cape Cod and the Greater Westfield Area Community Band of Westfield, MA. He was also leader of his own Festival Brass Quartet playing classical brass music at local churches and other venues.

Other activities have been in Congregational, UCC Churches, serving as a deacon in Dalton, West Yarmouth, and Westfield, MA churches. He was also a member of town Planning Board and Board of Appeals in Dalton, MA.

Mr. Rice is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Jean A.(Woodstock) Rice, sons, Stephen H. Rice and his wife Louise of Kennebunkport, ME, Charles B. Rice and his wife Sabine of Carlsbad, CA, the Rev. James W. Rice and his wife Beth of Florence, MA, and daughters Elizabeth A. Webb and her husband Timothy J. Webb of Dalton, MA, and Susan M. Erickson and her husband Clayton A. Erickson of Princeton, MA. Also, six grandchildren: Matthew J. Larkin and William J. Munch of Dalton,MA, Theresa J. Munch of Hinsdale, MA, Sarah E. and Kristen A. Erickson of Princeton, MA, and Bianca F. Rice of Carlsbad, CA. Also a sister Judith A. Bocknek of Andersonville, TN and a brother Paul B. Rice of Hinsdale, MA. Several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A Memorial Service is scheduled at The First Congregational Church of Dalton MA on July 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. Burial is to be in the Hinsdale Cemetery, Hinsdale Ma.

Memorial donations may be sent to The First Congregational Church of Dalton, 514 Main Street, Dalton MA 01226

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