Thomas Frank Arena

Thomas Frank Arena (1961-2024) - A Heart of Gold

Tommy Arena, a man with a heart of gold who spent his life caring for others, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024, at the age of 63. Born on May 1, 1961, in Waltham, MA, to Thomas G. and Elizabeth (Young) Arena, Tommy was raised in Belmont, where he first began to show his deep compassion for others and an unwavering commitment to service.

Tommy's journey of looking out for others began in his teenage years at the Belmont Country Club. Starting as a caddy and later working as a waiter, he quickly became known for his strong work ethic and his natural ability to connect with people. Even at a young age, Tommy was someone who could always be relied upon, whether it was helping a coworker or ensuring that every guest at the club felt welcome and well taken care of.

Following high school, Tommy's sense of duty led him to join the Navy Seabees, where he served his country with honor for four years. His time in Guam, Okinawa, Sicily, and Gulfport, Mississippi, further solidified his commitment to protecting and helping others. Tommy’s fellow service members knew they could count on him not only as a colleague but as a friend who would go above and beyond to ensure their well-being.

Upon returning to the Boston area, Tommy dedicated 16 years to a career in law enforcement as a sergeant at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Concord. In this role, Tommy’s compassion and fairness shone through. He treated every inmate and colleague with respect and dignity, earning him the admiration and loyalty of those around him. Known as the officer everyone respected, Tommy was famous for championing the underdog and standing up for what was right. His colleagues became more than friends—they were his brothers.

Beyond his professional life, Tommy was a man of many passions. He could entertain people for hours with his stories, whether they were about his adventures from the country club, the Navy and his travels, the prison, or his latest poker game. An avid fan of boxing, football, and the stock market, Tommy approached everything with the same enthusiasm and dedication that defined his life.

In 2011, Tommy met Lauren, the love of his life, and together they created a partnership of love, laughter, and mutual care. Their wedding in 2014, with the theme “it’s never too late for a happy ending,” captured the essence of their relationship—a deep and enduring bond that brought out the best in each other. Their ten years of marriage were the happiest of Tommy’s life. Relocating to Biloxi, MS, Tommy continued to live out the theme of their wedding, embracing every moment together, whether walking on the beach, time with family, or enjoying a great restaurant. Tommy cared for his in-laws with the same generous heart he showed everyone – with the exception of anyone up against him in a poker game. There, he never gave anything away – except maybe a lesson in how to play a winning hand.

Tommy leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and generosity. In addition to his beloved wife, Lauren Coe Arena, he is survived by his sister Cheryl Arena, stepsiblings Mark Arena and Julie Caissie, and half-sister Susan Arena; his daughters Chrissy (Rob) Hoskin and Jacquelyn Arena; his stepson Justin Gibson; grandchildren Kaylee and Jase Jones, Emily (Seth) Barkan, Kelli (Bailey) Spooner, Alissa (Brinson) Smith, Robbie (Kate) Hoskin, Tate Robirtson; great-granddaughter Alice Smith; and countless lifelong friends who will forever cherish the impact he had on their lives.

Tommy Arena lived his life with a heart of gold, always looking out for others and ensuring that everyone he met felt cared for and valued. His memory will continue to inspire those who knew him to live with the same compassion and dedication to others that he embodied every day.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org

A Celebration of Tommy’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 22, 2024, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Rd. Biloxi, MS 39531. Afterwards, his home will be open for all to share a time of fellowship, as he often did in many years of entertaining. The address will be provided at that time.

www.RiemannFamily.com