The Rev. Arthur S. Vaeni passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 75, surrounded by his wife, Sally Vaeni. His death resulted from complications due to a blood clot, a challenge he faced over the last decade while living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on April 8, 1950, in Concord, New Hampshire, Arthur was raised by his parents, Marjorie Spooner Vaeni and Starkey Vaeni. He was the younger brother to Edwin Vaeni. Arthur graduated from Bishop Brady High School before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, serving in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1977. He later earned a Master’s degree in communications from Indiana University.
Arthur’s personal life was deeply intertwined with his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Gail Painchaud, in 1972, welcoming two children, Annemarie and Brian. His children were the heart of his existence, and he cherished his role as a father.
In his early 30s, Arthur embarked on a spiritual journey that led him to Unitarian Universalism. After completing his studies at Harvard Divinity School, he was ordained as a minister in 1987 by the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Arthur became the fellowship’s first full-time minister, playing a pivotal role in its growth and the establishment of a new Meetinghouse on Fairgrounds Road.
In 1993, Arthur married Sally Gove, creating a loving partnership that flourished for over 30 years. The couple moved to Olympia, Washington, in 2001, where Arthur served as minister for the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) for 13 years.
A passionate advocate for social justice, Arthur was instrumental in the establishment of Camp Quixote, a community initiative that provided shelter for the homeless. When the city planned to dismantle a tent city in 2007, the OUUC board, under Arthur’s leadership, voted to allow the encampment to reside in its parking lot. This decision highlighted Arthur’s commitment to social justice, and the initiative eventually evolved into permanent housing with tiny homes and a shared community center.
In 2014, Arthur and Sally relocated to Bangor, Maine, where he served as an interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor (UUSB). It was during his second year there that Arthur received his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As the illness progressed, he and Sally returned to New Hampshire in March 2016.
Despite his diagnosis, Arthur approached life with gratitude and intention. He maintained a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and mindful eating, and he practiced loving kindness meditation daily. His commitment to others was evident in his ability to listen deeply and express appreciation, often through handwritten thank you notes.
Arthur was proud of his achievements, including climbing Mt. Washington every year for 40 consecutive years. Even in the face of Alzheimer’s, he remained a calm and generous presence, embodying the principles of loving kindness he cherished. His practice included affirmations such as, “May I be free of ill will and fear; may I be at peace with my sorrow and pain.”
He leaves behind a devoted family, including his wife, Sally; daughter Annemarie, her husband Scott Case, and their children Sam and Izzy; son Brian, his wife Liz Flannery, and their children Emmy, Ellie, and Evie; as well as his brother, Edwin Vaeni, and his wife, Nancy Nazaroff, along with their children, Kara Lynn and Jeremy.
Arthur Vaeni’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and dedication to community service. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many congregants whose lives he touched throughout his ministry.
A memorial service is scheduled for January 18, 2026, at 14:00 at the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 101 Fairgrounds Road, Plymouth, NH 03264. The service will be live-streamed and recorded, with more details available on the Starr King Unitarian Universalist website.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health, located at 101 Boulder Point Drive #3, Plymouth, NH 03264. For those wishing to view Arthur’s online tribute or send condolences to the family, more information can be found at www.csnh.com.
