Arthur M. Whish

Whish, Arthur M. of Hingham, passed away March 10, 2013, at the age of 89.

Husband of the late Mary Kelly Whish.  Devoted father of Melissa Whish Flanagan and her husband, Paul of Hingham. Beloved grandfather of Justin Paul Flanagan and Evan Whish Flanagan.

Art grew up in Rensselaer, New York and, as a young boy, was an outdoorsman which he continued into adulthood. He spent many hours as a boy boating on the Hudson River, fishing, and hunting with his faithful dog, Tippy.  He attended Cornell University and played hockey there until 1942 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force in World War II. Art achieved the rank of Captain in the Air Force and flew planes from Montana to Guam to Alaska and numerous locations in between. Art spoke with fondness about his days in the military and in his later years would tell stories about his experiences to his daughter and her family at the weekly Sunday dinners at his daughter’s house.  After his discharge from the military in 1950, Art graduated from Rensselaer Polytechinic Institute in 1953 with a bachelors degree in Management Engineering. While at RPI, Art was elected to the honorary engineering society of the Society of the Sigma Xi. Licensed as a professional engineer, he embarked on a life long career from 1953-1988 with Armstrong World Industries.  Art and his family spent 15 years at the world headquarters location of Lancaster, PA before moving to Hingham, MA in 1975 where he resided until the time of his death. At retirement, Art was the Personnel – Labor Relations Manager of the Braintree plant. It was a testament to Art’s nature and character that he was given an honorary union card by the union president at his retirement dinner even though he worked for management.  Post retirement, Art served as an advisory board member for the Salvation Army for 30 years and served as chapter chairman of the SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Organization for 3 terms. As a veteran, he was also a member of the American Legion Post 120. He also spent many hours watching his grandsons play baseball and soccer. Art was known for being understated with a dry wit and very realistic, but charitable view of life. He will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to have Art in their life.

In lieu of a formal wake a Memorial Open House is being held at the home of Art’s daughter, Melissa at 16 Chamberlain Run, Hingham on Saturday March 16th from 4- 8 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend, spend time with his family and enjoy drinks and appetizers to honor Art’s life.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visitation on Monday, March 18th from 8:30am-9:30am in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM.  Burial will follow in MA National Cemetery, Bourne.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army, 6 Baxter Street, Quincy, MA 02169.