Salem…..

John W. "Jim" Arena age 71, husband for 14 years of Judy (Nelson) Arena of Salem, died Thursday morning in Union Hospital Lynn.

Born in Salem the son of the late John and Elizabeth "Lee" (Bufalino) Arena, he was raised in Swampscott by his grandmother who was affectionately referred to as "Nana Buff". As he grew up, Mr. Arena enjoyed playing basketball and was also an avid basketball fan. A graduate of St. Mary's High School, Lynn in the Class of 1955 Mr. Arena received his Associates Degree from Burdette College in the Class of 1957.

In 1960 he entered the United States Army during the Viet Nam War and was stationed overseas. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Arena became employed by Sylvania Lighting on Sylvan St., in Danvers for 35 years until his retirement.

Mr. Arena played softball for many years with local teams on the North Shore. Most of all he enjoyed family gatherings and tending to his flower and vegetable gardens over the years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five stepchildren Lou-Ann Sheehy and her husband Peter of Manchester, NH, Robert Belisle and his wife Shirley of Salem, John Belisle and his wife Melanie of Rochester, NY, Mark Belisle and his wife Debbie of Beverly and Gregory Belisle and his wife Kristin of North Ridgeville, OH. He is the honorary grandfather of 12 twins Tia and Todd, Danielle, Robert, Tara, Tasha, Mathew, Joshua, Nicholas, Brittany, Caleb, and Alexander and the cousin of Marie Claire Bufalino Morin, David and Paul Tagliamonte.

His funeral will be held on Monday at 10:00 A.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Sunday from 2 to 5 P.M. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book or additional information please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.