Obituary of Arnold R. Christiansen

Arnold “Arnie” Christiansen a 40 year veteran of the Burlington Police Department passed away after a long illness on Wednesday morning, November 26, 2014. He was 81 years old. Arnie was born in Woburn, the son of the late Niels and Ellen Christiansen. He grew up and was educated in Burlington. He served in the Army during the Korean War. After the war, he became a member of the Burlington Police Department. He proudly served the residents of Burlington for 40 years. He held the rank of Lieutenant and spent many of his years working the night shift as the shift commander. Arnie was later joined at the Police Department by 3 of his 4 brothers. He loved being a police officer and serving the community of Burlington. He was very proud to see his son follow his footsteps and join the Massachusetts State Police. Arnie also owned and operated Christiansen Contracting where he installed drainage systems, sewer hook ups, general excavation, and snow removal. He was never afraid of hard and was a great role model for his children and grandchildren. Arnie’s life was all about his family. He worked hard to give his wife and children the little extras things he did not have when he was growing up. His wife Audrey, who only passed away 9 months ago, shared over 60 wonderful years together. Audrey & Arnie complimented each other. Audrey was the outgoing vibrant person and Arnie was the quiet and doting man. He adored her and would step out of his comfort zone to her happy. They traveled, went out, and loved to dance. He was a supportive and loving father to his 3 children. He gave his children wonderful opportunities and a foundation on which they could build with their own families. He was a very proud grandfather and the highlight of his day was when he received a visit from one of his grandchildren. Arnie was the loving husband of the late Audrey (Holley). He was the proud father of William & his wife Julie of Weston, Ellen Mikulski & her husband Larry of Burlington and the late Holley Christiansen Barbieri & her husband Paul Barbieri of Burlington. He was the brother of Norman & his wife Marilyn of Burlington, Carl & his wife Dolores of Burlington, Paul & his wife Joan of Wells, ME and the late Kurt & his late wife Mary. Proud grandfather of William Christiansen, Jr. & Kirby-Anne Christiansen, Christian & Mollie Mikulski, and Paul Stephen & Joseph Barbieri. He was the brother-in-law of Ruth Holley of Burlington and Dorothy Connors of Medford. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorials in Arnie’s name may be made to VNA of Middlesex East and Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.