June 10, 1918 (Waterbury, CT) – June 22, 2009 (Norwalk, CT); 91 years old
Married Norma Mary Devine (1919-2014) on May 25, 1940, in Norwalk, CT
One son, Arthur. Three daughters, Deborah, Janice, and Sharon.
Last local address: 54 Fairfield Avenue and 227 Ely Avenue, South Norwalk
Enlisted January 3, 1944
Serial number 31409165
Unit: 106th Infantry Division, 42nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion
Held in German POW camp Stalag 11B Fallingbostel Prussia (Work Camps) 53-09.
From The Norwalk Hour December 14, 1944
Private Arthur Maestro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maestro of 227 Ely Avenue, has arrived in France, according to word received by his wife, who was formerly Miss Norma Devine. Private Maestro went into the service on January 24 of this year receiving his basic training with the Infantry at Camp Wheeler, Georgia; he also trained at Fort George Meade, Maryland, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana, before he went overseas in October. Prior to his induction, Private Maestro was with the Segal Lock Company. Mrs. Maestro and their 16-month-old son, Arthur Junior, are residing with the former’s mother at 6 Hanford Place for the duration.
From the Norwalk Hour January 20, 1945
Word was received recently that Private First Class Arthur Maestro, husband of Mrs. Norma Devine Maestro, 2 Hanford Place, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maestro, 227 Ely Avenue, is missing in action in Germany. According to the telegram received from the War Department, he has been missing as of December 21. He is with the 106th Infantry, Third Army, which saw heavy action. Private First Class Maestro was prominently known in athletics in this city.
From The Norwalk Hour March 1, 1945
FILM REVEALS SOLDIER’S FATE
A Prisoner, Family Here Learns Seeing Picture At Palace Theatre
On January 11, Mrs. Norma Maestro of 2 Hanford Place received a telegram from the War Department that her husband, Private First Class Arthur Maestro, had been reported missing in action in Germany since December 21. Imagine her surprise and joyfulness when on Sunday she, accompanied by the soldier’s sister and parents, saw her husband on the Palace Theater screen in the Red Cross film “Seeing Them Through,” as a prisoner of war. It is generally known that the next of kin isn’t notified that their relative is a prisoner for approximately four months. Mrs. Maestro identified herself to Murray Howard, manager of the Palace, who took her to the projection room and gave her the part of the film which shows her husband. This makes the second time a local soldier has been recognized in a film at the Palace Theater. The first time was last April when Mrs. Jack Metelits recognized her son, Lieutenant Leonard Metelits, United States Marine Corps, in a technicolor documentary showing a Marine task force making a landing on an island in the Pacific. Private First Class Maestro, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maestro of 227 Ely Avenue, went into the service on January 24, 1944, training with the infantry at Camp Wheeler, Georgia. He was also stationed at Fort George Meade, Maryland, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana, before he was sent overseas in October. Before he went into the service, he was with the Segal Lock Company.
From The Norwalk Hour April 24, 1945
Private First Class Arthur Maestro, was recognized by his wife, Mrs. Norma Devine Maestro of 2 Hanford Place as a prisoner of war in Germany when she saw a Red Cross newsreel at a local theater on February 28, although she had on January 11 received a War Department notice telling that he was missing in action, is listed as a prisoner of war in the Official OWI report released this week. Private First Class Maestro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maestro of 227 Ely Avenue, went into the service on January 24, 1944. In civilian life, he was with the Segal Lock Company.
From The Norwalk Hour June 23, 2009
Arthur Patrick Maestro, age 91, of Norwalk, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2009, at his home. Art was born in Waterbury, on June 10, 1918, the son of Joseph and Marianna (Canfora) Maestro. Art had served in World War II as a machine gunner and received a Purple Heart. A lifelong resident of Norwalk, Art was the co-owner of the Broad River General Store from 1959 until his retirement in 1979. He was a lifetime member of the Sons of Italy, where he loved to play cards and volunteered his time for various functions. He also enjoyed watching all sports and spending time with family and friends. Art is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Norma (Devine) Maestro, and his four loving children; Arthur Paul Maestro of Danbury, Deborah Ford of Cortland, NY, Janice Toetenel and Sharon Hazzard-Cyr, both of Norwalk; five grandchildren, Sherry Maestro, Jason Bouton, Tracy Ortiz, Jolie Boccanfuso and Matthew Hazzard, five great-grandchildren. Predeceased by 6 siblings, he is also survived by a sister Clara Mineo, as well as many nieces and nephews. Art will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Friends may call at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 10 am at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, followed by burial with military services at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. Memorial donations may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Unknown plot number
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