Albert John Arruda

Windham, Maine – Albert John Arruda passed peacefully on January 29, 2024 after a short stay at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine. Prior to that, Al lived at his home on Sebago Lake with his loving family. Al was born on February 19, 1927 in West Bridgewater, MA. He graduated from East Bridgewater High School in 1944 and immediately joined the United States Navy where he proudly served in the Philippines until he was honorably discharged in 1946. After meeting the love of his life on a blind date set up by mutual friends, Al married Joan Marie Daley in September 1951. They lived first in Brockton and then in their home of 48 years on Julie Road in North Easton before moving to Maine in 2020 to be closer to family. The couple had two children, three grandchildren, and one great grandchild and were happily married for 71 years until Joan’s passing in early 2023. Al spent the better part of his career in the insurance industry. He began as an agent for John Hancock before a three-year move to Florida to start a family business. When he returned to Massachusetts in 1961, Al joined the Phoenix Companies where he won all of the highest company accolades, and was a regular member of Phoenix’s President’s Club and elite Director’s Club. In 2003, he was awarded the Tiffany Award, the company’s highest honor, for his dedication and service to the company and his clients. Always described as loyal and trustworthy, Al’s base of clients grew with the decades. He stayed in touch with many of his clients until the very end, sending his official retirement letter just days before his passing. He lived everyday by the motto of giving it 110% and always said the harder he worked, the luckier he got. In addition to his long career in the insurance industry, Al was committed to the community. He raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations whose missions supported children, such as The Michael A. Campanelli Scholarship Foundation and the Caring for Kids Foundation. Al was a true people-person and firm believer in “the more, the merrier”. He and Joan were generous hosts, famous for the terrific parties they’d throw for family and friends wherever they were - Brockton, Easton, Fort Lauderdale, or in Maine on Sebago. If friends of his children or grandchildren showed up unexpectedly, he’d happily invite them to participate in whatever day or evening activities were planned. Al treated everyone like a friend and loved his family more than anything. He will forever be known and remembered as the fiercely loyal, reliable and determined man he was. To say he is missed is an understatement. He is survived by his children Greg Arruda, Dede Perkins and husband Tony; three granddaughters Kate Gaskill and husband Chris, Carly Perkins and husband Josh Brostoff, and Haley Perkins; great-granddaughter Nora Gaskill; his sister Marianne Cookson; and sister-in-law Corinne Arruda. The family is planning a private celebration of Al’s life in the spring.

Albert John Arruda

February 19, 1927 - January 29, 2024

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