Obituary of Arthur McBain

Art McBain, insurance executive and avid sailor, died unexpectedly on January 24, 2011 at the age of 57. Art was born July 6, 1953 in Boston, MA to the late William and Polly McBain. He graduated from Archbishop Curley High School in Miami, FL in 1971 and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Boston College in 1976. Art is survived by siblings Mary McBain of Kingston, Christine McBain of Quincy, Jane & her husband John Rex Funderburk of Plymouth, William McBain Jr. of Duxbury, and Richard & his wife Mary Hart McBain of Sandwich. He was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth and sister-in-law Kathleen Hanlon McBain. Art was close with his nieces and nephews Elizabeth McBain of Woodstock, VT, Anne Funderburk of Cambridge, William McBain III of New York, NY, Kathryn Funderburk of Brookline, and Shannon & Sean McBain of Sandwich. Art will be remembered fondly by members of the Green Harbor Yacht Club as a man who loved sailing on his boat “Resolute”. Art summered in Green Harbor since his childhood, and has resided in Boston’s South End since the 1980s. He was an active member of St. Cecilia Parish, and traveled to Haiti in 2009 with the Hearts with Haiti mission program. He has also given generously to community programs including Project Bread, Fr. Bill’s Place, and The Pine Street Inn. Art was a commercial insurance underwriter for 34 years. He started his career at Continental Insurance Company in 1976. He worked for Continental in the Boston, Waltham and Nashua, NH offices until they were taken over by CNA Insurance in 1995. At the time, he relocated with CNA to the Quincy, MA office, where he worked until his untimely death. Art was a consummate underwriter, whose industry knowledge was legendary. When fellow employees, agents, brokers, and other professionals were stumped on an insurance question, Art was the man they went to for answers. He was never too busy to help others out whenever the questions came his way, or his assistance was needed. It was this ability, patience and willingness to help others, as well as eagerness to close deals that made him so well-respected and well liked in the Boston insurance industry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, Jan. 31st at Holy Family Parish, 601 Tremont Street, Duxbury at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours will be held Sunday at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St (Rt. 106)Kingston, from 4-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston MA 02118.