Arthur Joseph Caya, 83, longtime resident of Ashland, passed away after a period of declining health. He was the son of the late Alonzo and Edna (Grenon) Caya of Blackstone. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Clara (Lesieur) Caya.

Arthur was a dedicated father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force stationed in Korea. He worked for over thirty years as an electronics engineer for Raytheon and was responsible for developing and patenting a part for the Patriot's Missile Defense System. He was a selfless volunteer. As his children grew, he spent a great deal of time involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Ashland Little League. Later he became the Tax Assessor, serving the community for many years. As a member of the Building Committee, he helped to make the Ashland Senior Center a reality. He was the longest serving member of the Friends of the Ashland Council on Aging. As a member he served as a financial advisor as well as its vice chairman. Despite being involved in all of these activities, he preferred to stay out of the limelight and consistently acknowledged others' contributions rather than his own. He was an avid golfer, bowler and enjoyed wood working. He especially enjoyed monthly family dinners with Clara, his children and extended family.

Arthur is survived by his six children – Dennis and his wife Donna Caya of Wrentham, Michelle and her husband Michael Aldoupolis of Ashland, Richard and his wife Lori Caya of Pascoag, RI, Suzanne Cedrone of Ashland, Diane Levasseur of Deerfield, NH, and Louise and her husband Frank Hebb of Ashland, as well as twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Arthur is also survived by his sister Beatrice Parent of Blackstone, and his sister Theresa and her husband Kenneth David of Jupiter, FL. He is the brother of the late Cecil Desmarais and Rita Rainville.

A funeral service will be held Friday Nov. 24th at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland.  Calling hours will be held Friday from 9:00-11:00am prior the service in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ashland Senior Services; checks in his memory should be made out to FOACOA (Friends of Ashland Council on Aging) at 162 West Union Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, 01721.