Ray Michael Arnold

On July 1, 2023, Ray Michael Arnold, passed away at the age of 57 years with the love of his family surrounding him. Ray was born in Ohio and shortly after moved to Middle Village, Queens, NY where he was raised by his loving mother Lucille in the same 3 family home occupied by his maternal grandparents, uncle, aunt and two cousins. His brother Frankie came along 12 years later.
While working at Alexanders Department Store in Rego Park, Queens, at 18 years old, Ray met his wife, Theresa. They were inseparable ever since that day and later married in January 1990. A couple of years later while working at Greenpoint Savings Bank in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (now Capitol One), they moved to Ronkonkoma, Long Island along with Theresa’s mother, sister and their niece Christina. Ray continued to work in Greenpoint commuting from Ronkonkoma and at the same time attending Hofstra University at night to earn his Bachelor’s Degree. He later left the banking industry to work for VVA Associates – Project Manager Consultants in Manhattan, where he later became a Managing Director. Ray always felt one of the high points of his career was putting together VVA’s annual Christmas toy drive and fund raiser for HELP USA.
On 9/12/2001, the day after the World Trade Towers fell, Ray left Ronkonkoma for Manhattan on the Long Island Railroad and stayed working for a week to get Wall Street back up and running. This eventually led to his illness.
Ray’s first and foremost passion was his family. Ray was ready to take on any and all responsibilities, no matter what and was always there for a friend in need. One of his favorite things was arranging memorable moments and celebrations of life for his family. One of his most memorable being an incredibly romantic wedding renewal ceremony in Hawaii for him and Theresa. He was and always will be an incredible life force for his family, showing them how life should be lived. He will forever be Theresa’s knight in shining armor. Ray was known for being a loving, generous man with a positive attitude, he always gave a sense that nothing was insurmountable, if he could not go over it, he smashed right through it. He had a quick wit and immensely big sense of humor. He enjoyed being out on the water, boating and fishing. He was a great lover of animals and rescuer of dogs, having a pack of 10 dogs, at one time, was a walk in the park for him.
Ray is loved beyond words and is missed beyond measure by his wife of 33 years, Theresa, his brother Frankie, father in law Marcello, sisters-in-law Adriana and Jessica, nieces Christina and Daniella, nephew-in-law Billy and great nephew Dean, numerous extended family members and friends. His loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind – and it is that love that Ray lived for.