ARDENT PAUL “ART” JENSEN, 90, of Naples, FL and a former longtime resident of Williamstown and North Adams, MA died September 26, 2017 at Avow Hospice in Naples. He was born in New York City, NY on May 26, 1927, son of Axsel William and Beatrice Marie (Caron) Jensen. The family resided in Pownal, VT where he first attended schools. He then attended the former Williamstown High School and Drury High School in North Adams, MA until the outbreak of WWII.
During his senior year at Drury, Mr. Jensen enlisted in the US Army Air Corp, serving with Squadron A of the 2530th Army Air Force Base Unit until December, 1945. He re-enlisted and served as a corporal with the 2017th Labor Supervision Company. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal for his services in the European Theater of Operations. Following his honorable discharge, on December 23, 1946, he returned to Drury High School to complete his education and graduated with the class of 1947. Mr. Jensen also completed Franklin Technical Institute Automotive Courses and attended North Adams State College.
Mr. Jensen was first employed with the Kronick Esso Service Station in Williamstown for 4 years. He then joined Sprague Electric Company in the Research Dept. for 15 years until it closed. He transferred to General Electric Plastics in Pittsfield, where he worked for 17 years until his retirement in 1988.
Mr. Jensen was a member and former deacon of White Oaks Congregational Church in Williamstown. He was a member of the Walter Reuther Post #152 American Legion and life member and chaplain of VFW Post #8304 of Williamstown. He was a member of the GE Retirees and a former member of the Northern Berkshire Retired Men’s Club. He was a life member of the Greylock Community Club and a member of Waubeeka Golf Links.
He leaves his wife, the former Isabel Zoe Jones, whom he married on September 29, 1951 in the White Oaks Congregational Church and two sons, Steven Paul Jensen and his wife, Patrice of Pearl River, NY and Eric David Jensen of Jupiter, FL; two grandchildren- Laura Jensen and Daniel Jensen of Pearl River, NY; and three sisters, Beatrice Brown of Springfield, MA, Betty Ann Girard of Chicopee, MA and Helen Wisner of Laneville, TX; and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service will be Friday October 20, 2017 at 1:00 PM in White Oaks Congregational Church in Williamstown. Burial will be in Southview Cemetery. A calling hour at the church will be from 12- 1 PM. Donations may be made to the White Oaks Congregational Church in care of the Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Home, 74 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA, 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com