Arnold was born on May 14, 1939 in Tulare California to Mario and Norma Cavalli. He graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 1957. Right out of high school, Arnold served in the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1962.
In 1965, while cruising the drag on Belmont Avenue, he met his loving wife of 55 years, Tina Schnaubelt Cavalli. They were married in Stockton, CA on August 6, 1967. Shortly after they were married, they purchased a home in Fresno where they lived their entire marriage. In 1969, they welcomed their first child Mario, and then a few years later, in 1972, their daughter Lisa was born and the Cavalli family was complete.
He began his career in the car industry at Frontier Chevrolet in 1965 where he worked as a bodyman and made many lifelong friends. In 1978, Arnold joined Western Chrome as a partner, where he worked faithfully until he retired in 2007 at the age of 68. In his 29 years of running this business, he always kept his employees on their toes. His motto was that he would never ask his employees to do anything that he wouldn’t do himself. Arnold enjoyed working side by side with his son and made many friends through the chrome shop that he cherished long after he retired.
Anyone who knew Arnold knew of his love for cars. He took special pride in his 1929 Ford Roadster that he built himself and could often be found at car shows appreciating classic cars and talking shop with other car connoisseurs. Arnold was also an active member in the Pan Draggers Car Club for many years.
Some of his favorite things to do included spending time at the family cabin in Meadow Lakes where he spent countless hours working and napping, and trips to Mexico where he would lie in the sun for endless hours drinking chiquita banana smoothies. From cruises to races to piddling around in his toy shop, he was always busy doing something. He had a passion for building and restoring old cars and antique gas tanks. But his most treasured times were those spent with his family - especially when playing cards.
Arnold is survived by his wife Tina, son Mario Cavalli and his wife Julie, daughter Lisa Dell’Oro and her husband Ren. Grandchildren Michael Cavalli and his wife Marissa Cavalli, Matthew Cavalli, Madison Cavalli, Leah Plagenza, and Donovan Plagenza. Great grandchildren Landen Cavalli and Lorelei Cavalli. Brother Mac Cavalli and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Mario and Norma Cavalli and Granddog Sophia Dell’Oro.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that you make a donation to Peoples Church or a charitable organization of your choice.
A visitation for Arnaldo will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Calaveras Chapel, 1605 L. Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmlapazfresno.com for the Cavalli family.
