Michael Hattub Arnold

Tiverton, RI - Michael Hattub Arnold, 66, of Tiverton, RI, died Friday, April 1, 2011, surrounded by his children, at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI.Born in Newport, RI on September 2, 1944, he was the son of the late Dorothy Hattub Arnold.Upon attending the University of Kentucky, Michael served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service honorably, Michael obtained a bachelors of Science degree in economics from the University of Rhode Island. Michael worked for eighteen years at Raytheon in Portsmouth R.I. as a contracts negotiator. He was also employed with Hughes Aircraft Company in Middletown R.I. After retirement Michael was employed as a R.I. State Constable.Michael was known to his family and friends as Big Mike, who was an avid baseball enthusiast who enjoyed playing, watching and talking about baseball. He was a self proclaimed number-one N.Y. Yankees fan who attended, several NY Yankees World Series. Michael volunteered countless hours coaching and serving the Newport Babe Ruth Baseball leagues programs for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family at Eastons Beach in Newport, where he would always be listening to a baseball game on the radio. Michael also enjoyed having dinner with family and friends at his favorite Newport restaurant Salas. He was a genuine people person, someone who never met a stranger.He is survived by his wife Kathleen Arnold of forty one years, his children, Michael C. Arnold and his wife Beth Lorenz of Newport, RI, Ellen Downing and her husband Jim of Portsmouth, RI, and Timothy Arnold and his wife Mari of Atlanta, GA, his grandchildren, Jack Downing of Portsmouth, RI, and Sean Arnold and Alexandra Arnold both of Atlanta, GA, and his father-in-law Bernard Kane and mother in law Catherine Kane of Newport, RI.Michael was also predeceased by Nelson his beloved dog.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, from 5-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with his funeral to follow at 7PM in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Heatherwood Nursing Home Activities Fund, 398 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.