The chair of the Eastham Select Board, Arthur A. Autorino, died peacefully on Feb. 4, 2024 while on vacation in South Carolina with his wife, Georgia Wirth Autorino. The cause of death, according to Eastham Town Manager Jacqui Beebe, was “heart complications.” He was 77.
Art was born in Worcester on Feb. 7, 1946 and grew up in Montclair, N.J. He graduated from Montclair High School in 1964 and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia in 1969.
After graduation, he started at General Electric as a management trainee, and he remained with the company until 1991. He completed a master’s degree in industrial administration at Union College in 1976.
Art left GE to work as a vice president for operations at firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson from 1991 to 1997. He moved to Murray Inc., where he was vice president for the company’s China operations, based in Shanghai. He was vice president of operations at TheraSense and his career at Abbott Diabetes Care, where he managed the supply chain until 2009.
Art retired to Eastham and joined the Orleans Yacht Club, volunteered at the Cape Cod National Seashore, and served on the board of the Nauset Light Preservation Society and as treasurer of the Eastham Historical Society.
In Eastham, he served on the planning board for seven years, the finance committee for five years, and the strategic planning committee as chair. He was elected to the Eastham Select Board in 2020.
Beebe described Art as a respectful, thoughtful leader. “He let everyone speak,” Beebe told the Cape Cod Times. “There were no power struggles. He was an amazing, steady guy.”
At the select board’s Feb. 5 meeting, Art’s colleagues praised his civic service. “He cared deeply about this town and what we’re all working toward,” said Aimee Eckman.
Friends and family said that Art was proud of his Italian heritage and had a fine sense of humor and genuine warmth. He was called a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and a kind and good man.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia (Wirth) Autorino of Eastham; his daughters, Molly Autorino Krawczyk and husband Steven Krawczyk of Medina, Tenn., Amelia Autorino and partner John Simmons of South Weymouth, and J. Jamie Autorino Pescetti and husband David Pescetti of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren Jaden Jaclyn, Lucas, and Nicholas Krawczyk; brother Robert Autorino and wife Patsy of Caldwell, N.J., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ann and Arthur Autorino, and a younger brother, Jack Autorino.
The family will hold a private burial followed by a celebration of life at the Orleans Yacht Club at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in his name can be made to the Eastham Historical Society, Route 6, Eastham 02642 or to the Valerie Fund, 2101 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, NJ 07040.
