John Arthur “Jack” Arbitell
John Arthur “Jack” Arbitell, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Compassionate Care Hospice at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, NJ.
Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, he resided in Mercerville (Hamilton Twp.), NJ most of his life.
He was a graduate of Trenton Catholic Boys High School, Class of 1943 and Rider College (now Rider University), Class of 1949 where he attained his Associates Degree in Business. Mr. Arbitell was a US Navy Veteran of World War II. He was stationed on board the USS Shelton (DD-790) that participated in the Normandy D-Day Landing. Post-World War II, he served occupational forces duty on board the USS Norton Sound between China and Japan.
Jack, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed gathering with his family and friends for holidays and other special occasions, where he was certain to be “the life of the party,” making those in his presence laugh at the many good jokes he had to share.
As a young man, Jack experienced a memorable baseball career, having played for both the Trenton Industrial and Central Jersey Leagues. He would work out with the Trenton Senators, a farm team of the Washington Senators, during his Easter vacation while in high school. At Rider College he played baseball and soccer. He was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers), and was invited to Spring training at Charles Town, West Virginia by Rex Brown, a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Mickey McConnell, Director of Scouting. He was a member of the Trenton Schroth’s Post 93 American Legion Team during the 1941-42 baseball season at Wetzel Field in Trenton, NJ. An avid New York Yankees fan, Jack often listened to games on the radio when they were not televised.
Mr. Arbitell began his career working for the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey and then moved to work as a Mail Carrier for the US Postal Service, retiring from there with 38 years of dedicated service. During that time, he also worked part-time as a Civil Service Examiner.
Mr. Arbitell’s memberships included the Catholic War Veterans, Holy Cross Post 417; AARP; HELP (Hamilton Energetic Leisure People); and, Friends of Irish Football (Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, NJ).
Son of the late John Lewis Arbitell and Kathryn E. Tilton Arbitell, he is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Adele M. Klama Arbitell, one daughter, Dr. Michelle R. Arbitell of Mechanicsburg, PA, one son and daughter-in-law, John R. and Kelly Arbitell of Mansfield Township, NJ, two adored granddaughters, Bria and Jillian Arbitell, and one grandson, Shane McCabe. He also is survived by three sisters-inlaw and one brother-in-law, Felicia J. Stoj, Louise Klama, and Raymond R. and wife Dolores Klama, as well as several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held Friday morning, August 17th, at 11:00 AM from the Winowicz Funeral Home, 308 Adeline Street, South Trenton. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:30 AM in the Church of the Holy Cross (201 Adeline Street), Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hamilton Twp. Relatives and friends may call on Friday morning from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM (time of service) at the funeral home.
The family requests memorial donations in Jack’s name be made in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or visit https://www.stjude.org/donate/ donate-to-st-jude.html