Arthur “Sonny” J. Staples, 86 of Salem NH died unexpectedly Monday afternoon at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen MA.
He was born in Lawrence, MA on November 9, 1934, the eldest child of the late Henry E. and Mary C (Emma) Staples. Arthur attended Lawrence, MA schools. He retired when he was 75 years old as a CDL truckdriver for Praxair, Inc. delivering specialty gases to medical facilities throughout New England.
His work ethic was second to none and he helped to support his mother and siblings as a young adult and afforded his wife and daughters a dependable and secure life. He enjoyed maintaining his home and helping his wife with household chores. He loved his lengthy financial advice telephone calls with his grandson Joey. He relished the ocean, deep-sea fishing, and taking his wife out to dinners and loved playing 45's and horseshoes with his family.
Arthur proudly served in the National Guard of Massachusetts from 1953 through 1959 and earned the Expert Rifleman’s Badge.
He met the love of his life, Theresa M. (Roberts) at Canobie Lake Park. They were married August 24, 1954. They have three daughters, Valerie Zaleski and her husband Joseph of Hooksett, NH, Cynthia Cabral and her husband Stephen of Nottingham, NH, and Sandra Staples and significant other James Hanides of Haverhill MA; three grandchildren, Joseph (Joey) and Jonathan Zaleski and Deanna Kay; one great granddaughter, Aryanna Kahn-Zaleski ; brother Henry Staples and his wife Dorothy of Nashua, NH sisters Judith Basso and her husband Joseph of Palm Bay, FL, and Jacqueline Perillo and husband Roy Beane of Gouverneur, NY.
A visiting hour will take place at Mary Queen of Peace Church 200 Lawrence Road Salem NH Monday August 23, 2021, from 10:30am to 11:30am with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:30. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery 130 N Lowell Street, Methuen MA. Arrangements are by the Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main St., Salem, NH. To leave an online condolence, please visit Arthur’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.
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