Rick Arnold lived to ‘pleasurize’

Richard “Rick” Arnold, a lifelong resident of Sea Cliff known for his adventurous spirit, love of the water, and deep commitment to family and community, died on Oct. 18 at 79 following a battle with cancer.

Arnold, a retired real estate broker, was a man of many passions, from boating to storytelling, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His life was marked by resilience, having survived a harrowing plane crash in 1970 and embraced each day with his trademark motto, “pleasurize” — a word he coined to encourage finding joy in life.

Born July 7, 1945, Arnold met his wife, Joan, when they were teenagers at the Glen Head train station in 1962.

“I was just shy of 15, and he immediately started a conversation with a joke about my short skirt,” Joan said with a laugh. “ Rick was always fun and easy to talk to.”

The couple dated 15 years before marrying in 1977, building a life together in Sea Cliff and raising two sons, Matthew and Michael.

Joan described her husband as a “survivor” in every sense of the word. After being diagnosed with cancer, Arnold tackled the disease with determination.

“He was given 24 months to live, but he organized his life around making the most of every moment,” she said. “He lived 12 years after that diagnosis.”

Arnold’s resilience was tested in 1970 when he survived a crash-landing in the Caribbean. He was aboard an ALM flight bound for St. Martin when the plane ran out of fuel and ditched into the ocean amid towering waves. Arnold helped rescue a paralyzed friend from the wreckage, holding her in the water as they clung to life rafts while sharks circled the waters.

“He was always helping others,” Joan said. “Even as helicopters arrived to rescue passengers, Rick was the last person out of the water because he wanted to make sure everyone else was safe.”

Arnold’s experience was chronicled in a book, “35 Miles From Shore,” by pilot Emilio Corsetti III, who detailed the story of the crash and its survivors.

The sea was a constant in Arnold’s life. From childhood summers in Greenport to family vacations in the British Virgin Islands, Arnold found joy on the water. His boat, named “Pleasurize,” was a centerpiece of family gatherings.

“Some of our best memories are from Greenport,” Joan said. “The house on Pipes Cove became a haven for family reunions, barbecues, and long days spent fishing and boating. Rick loved the Peconic Bay, and it was his wish to have his ashes scattered there.”

Arnold’s son Matthew recalled how his father’s love of the ocean shaped their lives.

“We had great fishing trips together where we’d just hang out for hours, just talking and throwing out the rod,” Matthew said. “My dad once told me that he ‘could never not live near water’. He loved being on or near the water.”

Arnold’s warmth and humor endeared him to many. His sister, Tracy Arnold Warzer, described him as a “natural storyteller” who could captivate a room.

“His network was wide and far-reaching, because he made friends throughout all aspects of his life,” she said. “At the core of his interactions, there was always immense integrity and eagerness to be helpful, witty anecdotes and good humor.”

Tom Powell, a friend of 49 years, said that Rick was the most reliable and honest person he had ever met.

“Rick was the guy you could always count on,” Powell said. “Whether it was advice, a fishing trip, or just a good laugh, he was there.”

Arnold’s community ties ran deep. He was an active member of local organizations and a familiar face at Sea Cliff events such as Mini Mart. His sons recalled how their dad encouraged and supported them in Little League the Boy Scouts, volunteering for trips and working with them when they did community service.

“He inspired a sense of wanting to give back,” Michael, who went on to serve in AmeriCorps for a year, said. “I try to carry that through my life, and just try to be involved and give back and be a part of the community.”

Even as he faced cancer, Arnold remained steadfast in his positivity.

“Pleasurize wasn’t just a word for him; it was a philosophy,” Joan said. “He believed in finding joy, no matter the circumstances.”

In his final years, Arnold worked closely with his oncologist, Dr. David Nanus, who became a close friend.

“Rick taught us to embrace life and each other,” Joan said. “We’ll carry that with us always.”