The Rev. Arthur S. Vaeni, a beloved figure in the Unitarian Universalist community, passed away on October 24, 2025, at his home in Plymouth, New Hampshire. He died due to complications from a blood clot, having lived with Alzheimer’s disease for the last decade of his life. He was surrounded by his wife, Sally Vaeni, highlighting a relationship that spanned over 30 years.
Born on April 8, 1950, in Concord, New Hampshire, Arthur was raised in a nurturing environment by his parents, Marjorie Spooner Vaeni and Starkey Vaeni. He graduated from Bishop Brady High School before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. After serving in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1977, he pursued a Master’s degree in communications from Indiana University.
Arthur’s personal life was marked by significant milestones. In 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Gail Painchaud, with whom he had two children, Annemarie and Brian Vaeni. His children were central to his life and his heart. Following a spiritual journey that began in his early thirties, Arthur found a home in Unitarian Universalism, graduating from Harvard Divinity School and being ordained as a minister in 1987 by the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, NH. He became the fellowship’s first full-time minister, leading to significant growth and the construction of a new Meetinghouse on Fairgrounds Road.
In 1993, Arthur married Sally Gove, further enriching his life with love and companionship. The couple later moved to Olympia, Washington, where Arthur served as minister for the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) for 13 years. His ministry was marked by his deep commitment to social justice, particularly in addressing homelessness. Notably, in 2007, under Arthur’s leadership, the congregation welcomed a tent city to camp in its parking lot, later known as Camp Quixote. This initiative showcased the congregation’s generosity and commitment to its social justice values.
In 2014, Arthur and Sally relocated to Bangor, Maine, where he served as an interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor. It was during this time that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, prompting their return to New Hampshire in March 2016.
Despite his diagnosis, Arthur remained dedicated to living a life filled with gratitude and intention. He engaged in daily exercise and healthy eating and practiced loving-kindness meditation. This spiritual practice guided his interactions, allowing him to remain calm and generous throughout his illness. He was well-known for his habit of writing thank-you notes and expressing appreciation for the people in his life.
Arthur’s legacy includes a loving family that consists of his wife, Sally; his daughter, Annemarie, her husband Scott Case, and their children Sam and Izzy; his son, Brian, and his wife, Liz Flannery, and their children Emmy, Ellie, and Evie; as well as his brother, Edwin Vaeni, and his wife, Nancy Nazaroff, and their children Kara Lynn and Jeremy. His love for life, the earth, and the communities he served will be deeply missed.
A memorial service is scheduled for January 18, 2026, at 14:00 at the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, NH. The service will be live-streamed, and those interested can find the link on the fellowship’s website. Donations in Arthur’s memory may be made to Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health, located at 101 Boulder Point Drive #3, Plymouth, NH 03264. For more information or to view Arthur’s online tribute, visit www.csnh.com.
