Rehoboth Mourns Arthur Tobin
The town is mourning Arthur Tobin, a former member of the Board of Selectmen as well as several other committees. Tobin, 87, passed away at home on January 30 after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Mary Frances (Lawrence) Tobin to whom he was married for 66 years.
Tobin was an Industrial Arts teacher at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School for 21 years until he retired. In addition, he also taught Driver’s Education, and served as the high school’s drama coach for many years. After his teaching career, he went on to found and run Tobin Machine and Tool, in Seekonk.
Tobin served as a Town Moderator and was a member of the Lions Club for many years. He was involved with the Boy Scouts and 4-H Clubs when his children were members. He served in the Rhode Island National Guard as a young man, as well as the Rehoboth Cemetery Association and on the Bristol County Mosquito Control Board.
“He was a good man,” said Police Chief James Trombetta. “He served the town well. It’s a sad day.”
Selectman Jim Muri said although he did not always see eye to eye with Tobin on some issues, Tobin offered up “spirited debate which was intellectually challenging” and a joy.”
“He was a fine man,” Selectmen Chairman Skip Vadnais said Tuesday. “He worked very hard for the town. He’s going to be truly missed. He was definitely one of a kind.”
Dick Georgia, Publisher of the Reporter, said Tobin was “very good for the town.” Georgia, who considered Tobin a friend, recalled asking him to chair the town’s 350th Anniversary Celebration committee. “He really took an interest in everything and he got involved with a lot of things like (being chairman of the senior center building committee),” Georgia noted. “He was one of the best, he really was. He did a great job for all of Rehoboth.”
