Arthur H. Tobin, age 95, Clerk-Magistrate, Quincy District Court, former Mayor of the City of Quincy, and former Massachusetts State Representative and State Senator, passed away peacefully, Friday, January 16, 2026 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Arthur was born in Quincy, to the late George L. and Bessie M. (Dunham) Tobin. A lifelong Quincy resident, he was a graduate of Quincy High School, Class of 1948. After his military service, Arthur graduated from Boston College in 1958 and was president of his night school class at Boston College Law. When the night school was discontinued, he finished at Suffolk Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate.

He began his career in public service in 1966, working for the late Quincy Mayor James R. McIntyre’s administration in the City of Quincy’s Assessor’s Office. He was elected and served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1967-1971. He served as Councilor at Large on the Quincy City Council from 1968-1977 where he was elected Council President, and State Senator from 1971-1978 when he became the Mayor of Quincy, serving from 1978 until January of 1982. He also served as Chairman of the Quincy School Committee. In February of 1982, Arthur was appointed Clerk-Magistrate of Quincy District Court and had willingly served for forty-four years.

Over the years, Arthur proved to be an innovative leader and he was responsible for initiating many new programs at the court.

Arthur was a veteran of the Korean War having proudly served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received several awards, including the Korean Service Medal with Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Arthur belonged to various veteran’s organizations, including the Cyril P. Morrisette American Legion Post #294 and the William R. Caddy Marine Corps League Detachment #124 in Quincy. He was also a member of the North Quincy Knights of Columbus Council #2259.

Arthur was a caring man of faith and a lifelong active member of Saint John the Baptist Church in Quincy. He was always approachable, had a generous spirit and enjoyed quietly helping people.

Most of all, he was dedicated to his family. Arthur enjoyed spending time with and supporting all his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s many activities and accomplishments.

Married on September 5, 1955 in Saint John the Baptist Church, he was the beloved husband for seventy years of the late Shirley M. (Straughn) Tobin, who passed on January 15.

Devoted father of Arthur Stephen Tobin, Esq., former State Representative of Quincy, Mark H. Tobin, Assistant Clerk, Norfolk Juvenile Court, Retired of Quincy, Kelly-Ann Tobin Greenwood and her husband Donald, Lieutenant, Quincy Police Dept., Retired and Retired Colonel Special Forces, U.S. Army of Scituate, Tracey E. Phelan and her husband The Honorable William J. Phelan, former Mayor of the City of Quincy of Quincy, Brian J. Tobin, Lieutenant Quincy Police Dept., Retired and his wife Lynn of Quincy, Bruce J. Tobin, Sergeant, MA State Police, Retired and his wife Christine of Braintree, and the late Matthew David Tobin.

Loving grandfather of twenty and great grandfather of twenty-four.

One of ten siblings, Arthur was the dear brother of Robert A. Tobin, Probation Officer, Retired, Hingham District Court of Weymouth, George L. Tobin, Jr., U.S.M.C, Retired of Orange, CA, and was predeceased by Thomas F. Tobin, baby George Tobin, Virginia E. Sandonato, Carol P. MacKay-Labadie, Timothy G. Tobin, Quincy Police Dept., Retired, Edward J. Tobin, NASA Senior Construction Manager, Kennedy Space Center, and Ruth M. Tobin. Arthur is also survived by many much-loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, their families, friends, and colleagues.

Visiting Hours will be held in Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy, on Thursday, January 22, from 3 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass for Arthur and Shirley will be celebrated in Saint John the Baptist Church on Friday, January 23, at 10 a.m. Interment, with military honors, to follow at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

The family kindly requests that flowers be omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s memory may be made to Saint John the Baptist Church, 556 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169.