Keeping the faith, 70 years and counting – Art & Dorothy Aregoni

The U.P. Catholic

On Aug. 8, 1953, in the original basement church of St. Cecilia parish in Caspian, 27 year old Arthur and 19 year old Dorothy (Benson) Aregoni were united in the sacrament of marriage by Art’s cousin, Fr. Arthur Parrotta.

70 years later, the faithful couple is still going strong.

Dorothy, a native of Bates Township, and Art, a native of Caspian, met in April of 1952 at the Ten Pin Grille in Caspian, following a show at the City Hall where Art performed Italian songs and told jokes. Dorothy was a senior at the Iron River High School at the time. The couple was engaged six months after their meeting – on her birthday – in October 1952 in Racine, Wis., where she also converted to Catholicism.

Art and Dorothy are the proud parents of three sons, as well as two infant boys who died at birth. They are blessed with three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Art is actively involved with the Iron River Knights of Columbus and is a 3rd and 4th degree Knight. Prior to being elected trustee with Iron River Council 2300, he held the position as recorder for the past 42 years. He currently serves as the faithful navigator and commander of Iron River 4th Degree Assembly 501 Honor Guard. He is also the secretary treasurer of the Caspian Progressive Men and the Caspian Housing Authority. Art was involved in other various church activities until he underwent heart surgery in 2017.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Art served during World War II and is believed to be the last surviving WWII veteran in West Iron County. He served in both the Mediterranean Theater and the South Pacific.

Dorothy was also very involved with church activities, including membership with the Caspian Progressive Women and serving as a Cub Scouts den mother, until she suffered a severe stroke in 2000. Today, Dorothy is a faithful co-chair for Art’s various fundraiser projects for the organizations he serves.

To this day, Art and Dorothy live in the house where Art was born in 1926 in Caspian, and still faithfully attend St. Cecilia Parish where they were married and where Art was baptized.

Upon the celebration of their platinum anniversary this year, the couple has simple and sage advice for Catholic couples just starting out in their marriages: “Just keep the faith.”

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