February 26, 1936 – April 18, 2025
Arthur L. Twiss, 89, of Reading, Mass, died April 18 at the Kaplan house in Danvers after a short illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 21 years, Ruth (Eells). He never remarried.
He is survived by his son Carl, and daughter-in-law, Gennifer Twiss, of Reading, his sisters Shirley Perkins of Middlebury, VT, Jean Goodwin of Williston, VT, and several nieces and nephews.
Born in Burlington, VT, to Arthur A. and Alice M (Fairbanks) Twiss. He grew up in Hyde Park VT, attended Lamoille Central Academy, class of 1954. After graduating High School, he attended University of Vermont, before enlisting with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957. He had continued active duty until 1959, after which he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves until 1963. He enrolled in Boston University and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1965.
His career in supply chain management began in Pharmaceuticals at Ayerst Labs in Upstate NY. He retired in 2007 after 24 years with the Textron Defense Systems in Wilmington, MA.
Arthur served for several years as a volunteer member on the Board of Directors of NEADS (in Princeton MA). He helped promote their initial “Canines for Combat Veterans” program nationwide, he represented NEADS at the National Convention of the Military order of Purple Hearts, VFW and The American Legion.
Arthur, with his late wife Ruthie, were passionate lovers of all dogs. They raised 11 Rottweilers, and 2 Bullmastiffs. He spent over 50 years successfully competing them at American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) & Canadian Kennel Club (C.K.C) Conformation; Obedience and Tracking events.
Arthur judged at all levels of A.K.C. tracking tests in several states for over 33 years. He was a Charter member of the American Rottweiler Club; a life member of the Colonial Rottweiler Club, and one of the co-founders of the Tracking Club of Massachusetts, which is the 2nd oldest Tracking Club in the United States.
Visiting Hours are Friday, April 25, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn Street, Reading MA. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home, on Saturday, April 26, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody MA.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in Arthur’s memory to any of the following:
Baystate Bullmastiff Club; checks payable to: Bay State Bullmastiff Club and mailed to: Cheryl Pike, 44 Richardson St, Billerica MA 01821. Please note in the memo field “Art”
Tracking Club of Massachusetts; checks payable to: Tracking Club of Massachusetts and mailed to 239 Burrage St, Lunenburg MA 01462. Please note in the memo field “Art”
Colonial Rottweiler Club; checks payable to: Colonial Rottweiler Club, and mailed to Patrice McAllan, 15444 Pinehurst Forest Dr, Montpelier VA 23192. Please note in the memo field “Art”
