Richard A. Kenney

Retired NCAA Compliance Coordinator, U/Mass Lowell;

Richard A. Kenney, 72, of Lowell, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on Friday July 31, 2020 after a brief illness.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 2, 1947, the son of the late John F. and the late Dorothy M. (Russell) Kenney, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1965.

Richard continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from Lowell Technological Institute (nka U/Mass Lowell) in 1969.

Prior to his retirement in 2011, after more than 40 years of service, Richard was the NCAA Compliance Coordinator for the Athletic Department at U/Mass Lowell. In addition, he served as the diving coach for the Varsity swim team for many years.

Among his many interests, Richard enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling annually to Nevis in the West Indies and Provincetown, MA. He enjoyed writing and penned a book titled "Lowell Technological Institute 1897-1975, The City, The School and it's Athletics".  He enjoyed music and was a member of the New Greely Singers.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Gail Kenney of Methuen; two nieces Susan St. Pierre and her husband Scott of Pelham, NH and their sons Sean and Michael and Deborah Quinn and her husband Raymond of Kingston, NH and their sons Connor and Douglas.

He was also the brother of the late Elaine (Kenney) Schubert and the late John Russell Kenney.

Due to Covid-19, all services will be private for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory may do so to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, 192 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.     

Colleen P. Armstrong

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend;

Colleen P. (Perron) Armstrong, 70, beloved wife of Paul D. Armstrong with whom she recently celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage, passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 27th. She enjoyed a full life, often surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A longtime resident of Lowell MA, she was born to the late Bernard C. and the late Estelle (Parent) Perron.

A student of the Immaculate Conception school, Colleen was a 1969 graduate of Lowell High School, where she was a proud member of the Girl Officers Club. Later in life, Colleen went on to earn her Associate of Science degree from Middlesex Community College.

She worked for many years as an office manager for Northeastern Consulting Forestry Services. Additionally, she had a lengthy career as a transportation specialist for Lowell schools. Colleen made many lifelong connections with the students and teachers of St. Joseph High School, as well as many other Lowell schools where she was known and loved.

Colleen participated in numerous social organizations where she made many friends throughout the years. Amongst these many groups were the Women’s Club of St. Rita’s Parish in Lowell, The Red Hat Society, Merrimack Friends and Family, Merrimack Senior Citizens Club and Our Lady of Mercy Ladies’ Guild in Merrimack, NH.

Aside from spending as much time as possible with her family, Colleen’s interests included her love of Lake Winnipesaukee and a passion for genealogy. She spent summers at her family’s vacation home for more than 60 years at Lake Shore Park in Gilford, NH. Not surprisingly, she was once crowned “Miss Lake Shore Park” in a local beauty pageant.

Later in life, she inherited her father’s passion for genealogy and ancestry. Her father had traced their ancestry back several centuries with deep French and French-Canadian roots. Colleen worked tirelessly to trace the reach of her very large family, often reuniting cousins and other family members who maintain strong bonds thanks to her efforts.

Colleen’s family was the center of her world and as the Matriarch of her family, she was the glue that held us together and will forever be our guiding light.

In addition to her beloved husband Paul, Colleen is survived by 4 loving children: Mark Armstrong and his wife Holly of Dracut, MA; Keith Armstrong and his wife Sherrie of Chelmsford, MA; Justine Matte and her husband John of Merrimack, NH; and Heather Armstrong and her fiancé Steven Munroe of Townsend, MA; an extremely proud and enthusiastic Grandma to 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren: Katlynn (Armstrong) Wageling, Tyler Armstrong, Rachel Armstrong, Rileigh Armstrong, Stephanie Matte, Julia Matte, Ethan Matte, Morgan Armstrong, Brady Matte, Marissa Matte, Leah Munroe and great grandchildren Emma, Eleanor and Sarah Wageling; Colleen is also survived by her 4 sisters: Gloria Allard of Seattle WA; Dianne Callahan and her husband Tim of Portsmouth NH; Pamela Stoddard and her husband Butch of Gilford NH and Christine Pilgram of Salt Lake City, UT; and many nieces and nephews whom she held very dear to her heart. She is also survived by beloved family members: Beth Perron of Ipswich MA; Sandra Garneau and her husband Lee of Hudson NH; Michael Armstrong and his wife Joan of Lowell MA and Eileen Armstrong of San Francisco CA.

Colleen is predeceased by her late brothers John C. Perron and Bernard C. Perron Jr. as well as in-laws Robert and Maureen Armstrong, Edward Allard and Michael Callahan.

Relatives and friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 4 to 8 P.M. Monday August 3, 2020. (All state required social distancing procedures will be observed including the wearing of masks upon entrance into the Funeral Home). Due to Covid 19 restrictions Funeral Services will be private for the family on Tuesday. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) -458-8768.

ARTHUR C. ANTON

Former President and CEO of Anton’s Cleaners.

Arthur C. Anton, 95, the patriarch of the Anton family of Greater Lowell, passed away peacefully due to natural causes at his home in North Andover on Sunday July 26, 2020. Prior to moving to North Andover, he resided in Boston, Chelmsford and Palm Beach, Florida.

A highly respected area businessman, longtime philanthropist, and well-known leader in the Greek Orthodox community, Arthur recently celebrated his 95th birthday with those who brought him the most joy, his children and grandchildren.

He was the loving husband for 67 years of the late Madeline (Kanavos) Anton, who passed away in 2018.

Arthur was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 8, 1925, a son of the late Charles and the late Paula (Vacass) Antonopoulos He was a graduate of the Lowell High School Class of 1943 where he was the Class Valedictorian and a Carney Medal Winner.

Following high school, Arthur proudly served his country in the U.S Army Air Force through the conclusion of World War II.

After the war, he attended Boston University where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In addition to graduating with Honors, Arthur was elected University Class President and Man of the Year at Boston University.

In 1950, Arthur joined his father and brothers at Anton’s Cleaners, in Lowell where he served as President and CEO from 1950 to 2000 and developed the company into the largest dry cleaning operation in New England and one of the largest in the United States. To this day, Anton’s Cleaners, continues to be a family-owned, operated and nationally recognized dry cleaning business.

A beloved member of the community who always had a smile and a kind word, Arthur was active with many charitable, religious, fraternal and business organizations in Greater Lowell, Massachusetts and New England.

While a highly successful businessman, he dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of helping others. A tireless leader, organizer and volunteer, Arthur was a deeply religious man of faith who served his church, the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses of North and South America, with loyalty and passion.

Over the course of his life Arthur held many positions of leadership within the Church on both the local and national level. Among them were National Chairman of the league of Greek Orthodox Stewards, Executive Committee member of the Archdiocesan Council (1972-1994), Committee member of the Greek Orthodox Church in the America’s and Chairman of many local, regional and national events for the Church.

In 1976, Arthur was ordained the title of “Archon Depoutos” by Archbishop Iakovos which is the highest honor the church can bestow on a lay person. He was also a founding member of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund where he served as Vice Chair and Chairman from 1994-2004.  In one of the highlights of his life, Arthur was a member of the Greek Orthodox delegation that traveled to the Vatican where he had a private audience with Pope John Paul II.

Arthur was an integral part of Lowell General Hospital’s leadership team, serving as Chair of the Board (1981-1986) and as a trustee for 35 years.  Over the years, he also served as President of:  Chamber of Commerce of Greater Lowell, Lowell Rotary Club, United Fund of Greater Lowell, Community Council of Greater Lowell and AHEPA.

A staunch supporter of education, Arthur was a Trustee of Boston University (1977-1980), Hellenic College, Brookline (1972-1982) and The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece (1972-1982).

As a result of his dedication to the community, Arthur received several awards, among them, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Award (2014), the Lowell High School Distinguished Alumni Award (2013), the Religious Heritage of America Business and Professional Award (1989)and the “Aristotelian Award” by the Order of AHEPA (1979).

Arthur’s largest achievement, however, was the impact he had on the lives of the many individuals with whom he interacted. He had an enormous zest for life and was extraordinarily generous with his time and attention.  He loved his family, food, friends, visits to Greece, and considered every milestone as an opportunity to celebrate life and enrich his treasure box of memories.

Arthur is survived by his four children Diane Wilmot and her husband Gunnar of Bronxville, NY, Susan Pasanen and her husband Wayne of Newburyport, MA, Charles Anton and his wife Tami of Lincoln, MA, and Arthur Anton, Jr. and his wife Nina of Carlisle, MA; ten grandchildren Gunnar Wilmot, Jr., Madeline Wilmot, Zachary Pasanen and his wife Alexandra, Christina Pasanen, Alexandra Pasanen, Arthur Austin Anton, Jacqueline Anton, Spencer Anton, Olivia Anton and Steven Anton; a great grandchild Rosie Pasanen; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late John Anton, Alexander Anton, Socrates Antonopoulos and brother-in-law of the late Joyce (Haley) Antonopoulos.

Due to Covid 19 state and federal restrictions, all Funeral Services were held privately for the family. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5 Lewis St., Lowell, MA 01854 or St. Constantine and Helen Church, 71 Chandler Rd., Andover, MA 01810.  Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.

Luz C. Medina

Loving wife, mother, sister and friend;

Luz C. Medina, 50, of Dracut, died Wednesday July 15, 2020 at her home.

She was the beloved wife of Angel L. Reyes, who survives her.

Born in New York City, New York, April 28, 1970, the daughter of the late Juan Medina and the late Luz De Jesus, she received her Associates Degree.

Prior to her retirement, she was a teacher at the Community Christian Academy in Lowell.

Besides her husband, Luz is survived by a son Juanangel Reyes of Dracut; a brother Adam Medina of Fort Knox, Kentucky; a sister Lissitte Medina of Dracut and several nieces and nephews.

Her calling hours will be held Tuesday afternoon July 21, 2020 at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in Lowell from 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. with a Funeral Service to be held in the Funeral Home at 4:30 P.M.. (Stated mandated social distancing restrictions will be in place at the funeral home and all entering the funeral home must wear a mask.) Burial will take place on Wednesday at the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI, at 11 o’clock. (Please meet at the Cemetery). E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.