Dr. Philip J. Arena

                           Philip J. Arena M.D., 87, Pioneering & Iconic Physician 

Dr. Philip John Arena of Hingham, Massachusetts – known as a man of integrity and highest character, peacefully left this earth on January 23rd, 2023, having lived a life of resilient abundance. “The Gods broke the mold” on December 30th, 1935, the day Phil came into being; there will never be another man like him.  Generous of heart and spirit; attentive to the essence of what was most important no matter the situation. He stood for all that is good in the world and shared the best of himself throughout every endeavor.

Born at home to immigrant parents who landed in East Boston, raising their 2 sons and daughter in the 3^rd floor apartment of a triple decker, brimming with Sicilian relatives on the floors below. A community among themselves, coming of age in this context established the foundation for Phil’s lifelong mantra, “la famiglia e tutti” -family is everything.

Phil inherited his unique blend of drive, determination, social savvy, loyalty, and compassion for humanity from his late parents, Rose and Cosimo. He was raised to uphold the traditions and values his parents carried with them from their homeland, while abiding by their strict expectation that he put in the requisite sweat and stamina to succeed in American culture. For Phil, the pathway to his “American Dream” was through education.

He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1953; the launching ground for his brief career as an athlete, where he ran 80 yards on the opening kickoff to score a touchdown in the infamous Latin-English Classic, helping the team claim victory, and clinch a share of the City Crown. To Phil however, Latin School was more significant as the context where he first developed an enduring intellectual curiosity, a disciplined mind and a belief in the value of education.

He went on to earn a scholarship to Harvard University, where he played freshman football prior to refocusing his time and making “a conscious choice,” as he often said, to take full advantage of the academic and social opportunities there that served to deepen his understanding of himself and spark the vision of who he wanted to be in the world. He graduated from Harvard in 1957, with a clear goal to study medicine and a diverse, brotherhood of friendships he would retain and cherish throughout the rest of his life.

Following college, Phil attended Boston University School of Medicine, entering a time where his friends became colleagues, bonded for life, together enduring the inherent intensity involved with the study of medicine during an era when 1 out of 4 didn’t make it to graduation. Along the way he married the love of his life, Claire Smither, who became “the house mother” for he and his close comrades as they struggled through medical school. They helped each other and survived with positive resilience and an enthusiasm for their next chapter.

He graduated from medical school in 1961, entered the United States Army as an officer, and he and Claire, with their first child in tow, traveled across the country destined for Honolulu, Hawaii, where he began his medical career, commencing his internship in a Med/Surg rotation at Tripler General Hospital. He returned to Massachusetts, stationed at Fort Devens and was honorably discharged from service in 1968, having been awarded a Certificate of Achievement, an Army Aviation Medical Officer Badge, and an Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished service to the Armed Forces during his tenure.  Phil held deep pride for having served in the military; frequently reflecting on and sharing stories from those years, and the friendships he solidified while serving his country. He fulfilled his Medical Residency at Boston City Hospital, becoming Chief Resident in 1966 and 1967 and ultimately Board Certified in Radiology in 1968.

Phil spent the majority of his medical career as the Chief of Radiology at Brockton Hospital and Clinical Professor of Radiology at Boston University School of Medicine, training hundreds of interns and residents in both the field of radiology and the meaning of community based medical practice. He was beloved by his students for tirelessly investing in their training and established a highly respected reputation hospital wide – up and down the hierarchy, specifically valued among his peers and patients alike. Phil had a way of leading that was both collegial and strategic; one where building and nurturing relationships was at the forefront. Coming from humble beginnings, Phil was relatable and engaging to a range of characters.  He could be one among many, while simultaneously taking charge of moving his mission forward.

During his tenure at Brockton Hospital, the field of Radiology was experiencing a time of tremendous advancement. Phil evolved a once small department in a community-based hospital, into a flourishing group of board certified radiologists supplying hospital staff with advanced expertise in Diagnostic Imaging, equipping the department itself with the latest state of the art equipment, identifying Brockton Hospital as the premier imaging department south of Boston.

After 30 years with Brockton, and at the top of his game, Phil moved on to become the Director of Imaging with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates from where he ultimately retired. He kept his medical license and memberships active for some time after, as this was part of who he was even outside the practice of medicine.

Above, beyond and woven through Phil’s career, was his relationship with Claire, his wife of 62 years, his reason why. He and Claire traveled the world together, experiencing ancient cathedrals and exotic cultures, the flora and fauna of lush and unusual landscapes and of course an abundance of culinary delights! Perusing food markets and scouting out those hidden gem eateries, frequented only by the locals, was a travel itinerary priority for Phil in particular. He and Claire became quite the pair in the kitchen as well as in life; their creative cuisine emerged as a highlight of rituals and events with family and friends. The Feast of Seven Fishes remains among the infamous and enduring through the next generation.

The family Phil and Claire created together and the friendships they shared were always a central focus in his life. As a parent of 5 children, he was a firm, yet fair authority figure and a wise sage. His long-standing keen perspective on people and situations was a priceless gift, highly valued to his children, especially in difficult times. As his family evolved, he became a revered grandfather and trusted confidant to his adult children.  They are heartbroken that his time has passed, yet grateful for the trail he blazed and the life he provided for them.

Throughout his life, when the right time came, Phil’s fun-loving nature was never too far out of reach. He loved being the host of a good party and celebrating life with those he held close, and those he honored in ways big and small. He chaired and participated on several alumni committees planning reunions and reconnections for Boston Latin School, Harvard and BUSM.   Known to give an impressive toast, and “the chosen speaker” for significant milestones among colleagues and friends, his words could bring to life the essence of a person with nuance, wit, and occasional verse!  People loved being around Phil and Phil loved being around people.