Joseph Anthony Arena, Sr., 93, of Beaumont, passed peacefully to his heavenly reward on Saturday, November 7, 2015. He was born on August 6, 1922, to Joseph and Mary Penna Arena, in Beaumont.
“Cowboy Joe” was a master carpenter, contractor, grocery store owner and farmer. In his younger days, he rodeoed. His smile was contagious and he shared his love with all who crossed his path.
Survivors include his children, Debbie Wiggins and her husband, Butch, of Lumberton, Texas; Joe Arena and his wife, Sherry, of Brookeland, Texas; Chuck Arena and his wife, Sherri, of Edom, Texas; Rosie Arena DeLano and her husband, Mike, of Beaumont; and Lisa Arena and her partner, Beth Rader, of San Francisco, California; grandchildren, Joey Arena and his wife, Nicole and Tiffany and Tara Arena, all of Beaumont; Rachel Jones and her husband Doug, of Dallas; Hannah Richey and her husband, Brandon, of Lumberton, Texas; Lindsey Arena and her fiancé, Jordon Raymond, of New York; Nichole Arena, of Austin; and Claire Robertson, of Beaumont; five great-grandchildren; sister, Josie Serafino; brother and sister-in-law, Kelly and Donna Arena; sister-in-law, Violet Arena; and many nieces and nephews who loved their "Uncle Joe".
Joe is preceded by his wife, Rosalie Brocato Arena; his parents; and brothers, Tony, Vincent, Sam, and Archie Arena, all of Beaumont; and sister, Francis Madaffari, of Harlingen.
The family would like to extend special thanks to his caregiver, Cyndi Johnson, and his hospice nurse, Brenda Honeycutt.
A gathering of Joe Arena’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with his Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial charitable contributions be made to Southeast Texas Hospice, 912 West Cherry Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630.
