Arthur "Allan" Birtwell, 79 of Norwell went home to be with his merciful Lord and Savior April 27, 2012 after a long and brave battle with Parkinson's disease.

Allan graduated from Braintree High School and attended Ithaca College School of Music in New York.  It was at Braintree High that Allan met the love of his life, Anna May (Seggelin) Birtwell to whom he was married and devoted to for 56 years.

Allan brought his young family to Norwell where he made his home and began his business, Office Machine Services.  Among some of his most trusted employees were his own wife and sons.

Allan was a United States Navy veteran.

Allan had many hobbies and interests that included his family, antique cars, mechanics of any kind, sailing and most of all music.  Allan was an accomplished trumpet player who started playing professionally at the age of 12.  Taking the train from Braintree to Boston every week at that young age he was part of a 3 piece band that performed in a gospel radio program.  He played the trumpet his whole life and was a long time member of the Hingham Civic Orchestra, and the Satuit Band. He gave private lessons to young students from his home, played in his church (South Shore Baptist) at Sunday services, performed in weddings, parades, parties, etc. ending his playing career with a band called "Scituation Swing".  It was the "cute" trumpet player playing in the Braintree High School play that Anna May fell in love with.

Along with his cherished wife Anna May, Allan leaves his four loving children, Bryan  and his wife Dawn of AZ, Beth Casey and her husband Paul of Duxbury, Bruce and his wife Kate of Abington and Brenda Nee and her husband Daniel of Hull and New York City.  He also leaves his adoring grandchildren, Jenica, Alena, Peter, Julia, Jack and Audrey.  He is also survived by his brother Ambrose Birtwell and his wife Louise of Hingham, Sister in Law Phyllis of Abington, Sister Dorothy O'Brien of FL and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother Frederick Birtwell.

The family would like to thank all the home health providers that gave Allan much love, care and friendship.

Relatives and friends are respectively invited to visit the McNamara Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central Street, Norwell on Tuesday, May 1, from 5 to 8 p.m.  A funeral and celebration of Allan's life will be held at the South Shore Baptist Church, 578 Main Street Hingham on Wednesday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m.  Burial will follow at the Washington Street Cemetery, Norwell.

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