Friend to many of us Alan Arenius passed away saturday, from melanoma that spread quickly through his body.

Alan was in his 40s and this is a terrible loss. He was a brilliant actor and creative genius, a gentle soul who struggled for years with madness, isolation, alcohol and poverty.

His life also soared to amazing heights. He was a very talented actor who toured with the legendary anarchist communal theater company Living Theater in Europe, and performed in The Laramie Project in Northampton. Alan deserved better than these last years, which were so painful for him.

Safe journey, Alan.

With love, admiration, and sadness,

-- Will Hall
____________________________________________________________________

Fwd from Bill Dwight:

Alan's family has arranged for a funeral service for him to be held on Wednesday
January 31 at 2:00 PM at the Edwards Church in Northampton

I have attached the simple obituary that will be running in the local papers at
the bottom of this message.

I know the family would be touched and moved if you could make the service. It
has meant a great deal, so far, for them to discover that Alan was much loved,
admired and recognized for his grace.

We fully expect to honor Alan in the months to come with performances and
tributes, but this service is his funeral and like him, it will be modest and
warm.

The time will come for the celebration of Alan's time with us... and when that
time comes, we will not be as humble as he was. No we won't.

take care,

Bill Dwight


Northampton - *Alfred Alan Arenius, Jr*., 45, of Northampton passed away on
Saturday, Jan 27th, 2007 at home.

He was born in Springfield, MA June 11,1961 to Alfred A. Arenius, Sr., and the
late Marjorie C. Arenius. He was predeceased in 1975 by his sister Marilyn
Arenius. He is survived by two sisters, Claire J. Arenius of Shutesbury, MA, and
Nancy J. Arenius of Marietta, GA.

He graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1979, and the University of
Massachusetts at Amherst in 1983.

He lived in New York City, where he studied acting and performed with The Living
Theater, as well as performing improvisational music, in the 1980s and 1990s. He
spent the rest of his life in Northampton where he continued to act.

Services will be held on Wed, Jan 31st at 2 p.m. at the Edwards Church, 297 Main
Street, Northampton. A reception will follow, at a location to be announced. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Alan to the VNA and Hospice
of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, or the American Cancer
Society.