Betty L. Brown

Betty L. Brown, 96, of Hamburg, NY (formerly of Sun Lakes, AZ) passed away on September 25, 2015. Betty was born on December 12, 1918 in Washington, D.C. to the late Bruno and Leonie (Torrilhon) Krause. She was the beloved wife of the late John M. Brown and loving mother to Clara (John) Noce, Joseph (late Sharon) Brown, Joan Christensen, Susan (Tim) Peck, Barbara (Joseph Kilbridge) Clauss, Michael Brown, and the late John (Sylvia) Brown, Jr. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; brother Richard (late Helen) Krause, and sister Joan (Neil McKay) Swanson. She was predeceased by her brother William (late Anna Mae) and her sister Mary Krause. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Betty and her husband retired to Sun Lakes in 1980 where she resided until 2008 when she returned to her hometown of Hamburg. While a resident of Sun Lakes, she enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards and most of all playing her organ and enjoying the many friends she met through Fletcher’s Music Center.

Funeral services were held on October 3. Interment was at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Hamburg.

Guest register at www.demmerleyfuneralhome.com.

Donations may be made to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Boulevard, P.O. Box 590, Cheektowaga, NY 14240-0590.

Robert F. “Bob” Burnett

Bob, age 80, passed away on September 18, 2015. He resided in Sun Lakes, AZ.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Bob’s career at 3M Company spanned over 30 years with a focus on Consumer Electronics, including Global Director of Sales and Marketing for Scotch brand media products.

Bob touched many lives with his loving and caring spirit. He is survived by his wife Jeanette (Jan) Burnett (married 58 years), son Scott and wife Tami, their children, Joey and Eric, son Mike and wife Suzanne, their children, Emily, John and Tommy, son Bob and wife Jody, daughter Teri and child Paige.

For more details go to http://tinyurl.com/o96grmy.

John R. Dobson

John R. Dobson, age 90, of Sun Lakes Arizona, passed away on September 25. He was born in Kingston, Missouri. In 1941, with the help of an ex-Marine 4-H leader and a desire to seek a better life, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, even though he was only 16 years old. Following basic training in San Diego, his first tour of duty was Ford Island, Hawaii, where he reported in September 1941. In addition to being part of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, John was involved in almost every horrendous conflict of World War II – – Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. He was awarded a Purple Heart and several campaign medals. A piece of shrapnel ended his military career in 1946.

Malaria plagued John for several years after his discharge; but in 1953 John began his 30-year career with United Artists as a District Sales Manager. He was in several movies like McClintock, Alamo and Stage Coach with his longtime friend John Wayne, and worked closely with Sidney Poitier, Clint Eastwood, Bing Crosby and Sylvester Stallone.

In 1977, John and Ruth Daniels were married aboard a DC-10 airplane bound for Hawaii. The couple spent winters in Sun Lakes prior to becoming full time residents in 1996. They enjoyed playing golf at Palo Verde and Cottonwood Country Clubs.

John made numerous contributions to the Cottonwood/Palo Verde Homeowners Association in Sun Lakes. On August 10, 2014, the John R. Dobson Administration Center was dedicated in his name. John also supported the Sun Lakes Community Theatre in by purchasing sound equipment, lighting in the San Tan Ballroom, risers and curtains. John was an active contributor to events sponsored by the Palo Verde Men’s Golf Association and purchased television sets for the Cottonwood Lounge. We thank John for making the Sun Lakes Community a better place to live in. He is a Living Legend in Sun Lakes and his legacy will be long remembered.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2001 and his three sisters. He is survived by three nieces, Shirley Bybee, Barb Franz and Linda Hartman along with nephews, Larry Taylor, Len Taylor and Geoffrey Dale Peter, and a cousin, Rose Mary Bierig. In addition to his family, John is survived by his long-time companion Connie Smith and Bud and Kathi Jenssen, longtime friends and caregivers. A celebration of life will be held in January. Contributions in John’s name can be sent to Neighbors Who Care, 10450 E. Riggs Road, No. 113, Sun Lakes, AZ. 85248.

Peter Fox, Jr.

Peter Fox was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 26, 1932 and passed away on Sunday, September 20 in Chandler, Arizona. He was the second son of Olive Steffes Fox and Peter Fox Sr. and had one brother, Paul (Virginia) Fox of Harrisonburg, Virginia and one sister, Honey Fox Sheridan (Leo) of Chicago, Illinois. He attended Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and earned a BS degree in Business from Loyola University in Chicago. After graduation, he had a career in the food industry, working for the family business, Fox de Luxe Foods and Oscar Meyer. Peter was the proud father of Steve, Robert and Chris Fox and grandfather of Christopher, Chandler and Andrea Fox and an uncle to several nieces and nephews and a dear friend for 15 years to Dee West of Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Retiring 25 years ago, he and his wife, Mary Jane (who predeceased him) moved to Arizona and settled in Sun Lakes, Arizona where Peter quickly became involved in the community and became a member of St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes where he served as Sacristan, Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, and was an active member of the Respect Life Ministry. He was involved in the Knights of Columbus Sun Lakes Council 9678 and served as Sir Knight, Past Color Guard Commander, Past Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator and Past District Deputy. He was always caring for someone or assisting a person in some way be it transportation, sick visits in the hospitals, assisted living or at their home and he served the youth and developed a rapport with many families. A keeper of the church keys for many years, he was always available to all for whatever their needs were.

A memorial Mass for Peter was held on Wednesday, September 23 at St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, Arizona. Father Pierre Hissey was the Presider and Father Eric Houseknecht was the Concelebrant. A Fourth Degree Honor Guard Call Out took place after the mass and a chalice was presented to the Jesuit International Mission, Chicago, Illinois in Peter’s name. Another Memorial Mass for Peter Fox will take place in Glenview, Illinois at a later date.

Marjorie Joanne Hartnett Gaffaney

Marjorie Joanne Hartnett Gaffaney, known as Margie, died on September 24, 2015. She was born on September 15, 1919 to Jeremiah J. and Mary Agnes (Kivlehan) Hartnett of Newton, MA. Of their nine children, she was next to the youngest. Overcoming many obstacles in her life, Margie had 96 years of amazing achievements.

At the age of four she contracted polio and required therapy and use of an arm brace for a period of time. The loss of her mother when she was eight left her under the care of her older siblings and their devoted father. Margie often recalled working in the family spice garden and being paid for picking insects off the potatoes.

Unfortunately, at age 12, she contracted typhoid fever and was hospitalized for many months. The care of the hospital staff reinforced her desire to become a nurse and her first airplane ride at age 15 convinced her she also wanted to become a stewardess. She completed her schooling in Newton and graduated from Newton-Wellesley, where she worked as a nurse for a short time. American Airlines hired 21 year old Marjorie, their first hire from New England in 1941 after she became a registered nurse, a requirement for all flight attendants at that time. She worked primarily out of Dallas, TX and visited more than two dozen countries during her 12 year career as a flight attendant (when on flying layovers, she also worked as an R.N. at many major hospitals, such as Boston Children’s and Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC). Margie visited more than two dozen countries during her 12 year career as a flight attendant. During WW II and the Korean War, Margie worked on troop planes carrying wounded soldiers back home, and recalls a physician flying to attend to General George S. Patton.

Margie retired from her stewardess career in 1953 after a particularly adventurous flight from Tokyo with U.S. soldiers. She then married Bill Ford, with whom she shared many adventures, including circumnavigating the globe twice – which brought them to Vietnam just prior to the war. On this continent, Margie and Bill travelled extensively and lived winters in Mexico and retirement in Escondido.

After Bill’s death in 1991, Margie moved to Sun Lakes, AZ where she met and married Paul W. Gaffaney on August 25, 1992. (Paul was originally from Fargo and Williston, ND, having co-owned and operated Gaffaney’s Office Supplies, Inc. of ND. Paul had been widowed in 1988 from his first wife, May Gaffaney). Margie and Paul continued their lives together in Sun Lakes, enjoying many activities with their mutual friends and relatives. After Paul’s death in 2006, Margie moved to Fargo in 2010 to be close to her stepdaughter and family, Michele and Vance Vannote – living until near the time of her death at Riverview Place. Margie was particularly fond of her life-time membership in Kiwi International (an altruistic group of retired stewardesses), as well as her life-time enjoyment of bridge and golf all over the world.

Margie is survived by her sister, Dorothy Ann Hartnett Hastings of Silver Springs, MD; stepdaughters Michele (Vance) Vannote of West Fargo and Joan (J.D.) Williams of Philipsburg, MT; step-grandsons, Guy Vannote (Fargo), Matthew Gaffaney and his mother, Christine Gaffaney (San Diego), step-granddaughter, Jennifer Williams (Philipsburg, MT); and step-great-grandson, Joshua Vannote (Fargo); as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeremiah and Mary Agnes Hartnett; four sisters (Mary Madeline, Kathryn Pauline, Agnes, and Helen Hartnett) and three brothers (Jerome, Joseph, and Eugene Hartnett) and by stepson, Captain John P. Gaffaney (San Diego).

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th Street South, Fargo, ND 58104 or to CHI Riverview Place.

Margie’s family would like to thank all the personnel at Riverview Retirement, Villa Maria and Hospice for their many acts of loving care and kindness to Margie.

A memorial mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28 at Riverview Place Chapel, Fargo with a prayer visitation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.

James Fedile Iantorno

On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, with family members by him, James Fedile Iantorno passed away at the age of 92.

James, older brother of Anthony, was born in 1923 to parents Frank and Susan Iantorno in the town of New Rochelle, NY. There he attended Columbus Elementary and Junior High Schools, and Albert Leonard Vocational High School. Following graduation in 1941 and prior to enlisting in the service, James worked as a production and design development machinist producing prototypes and production devices for weapons, electrical connectors and instruments.

In 1943, James was hired by Pan American Airways as an aircraft and engine mechanic, at which time he also enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve serving as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate until 1946 when he became a Sergeant 1 Aerial Engineer with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Air Transport Command, serving 13 months at Hickam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor, HI. In 1948, following his discharge from the service, James attended the Academy of Aeronautics, La Guardia Airport, NY, graduating in 1950 as a certified aircraft and engine mechanic, after which he continued to work as a production and design development machinist.

In 1952, James was hired by Sealectro Corporation, where he worked for over 35 years in various capacities, including Machine Shop Supervisor and Machinist, Plant Manager, Sales Engineer, and Engineering Manager. In 1974, he was promoted to Senior Project Engineer and Senior Engineering Specialist, and in that capacity was responsible for the design, development, and patenting of new products, impressively becoming the holder of over 24 U.S. and foreign patents. His family have always been proud of his accomplishments, which include the Bullet Nose ™ line of terminals, the Jump Jax ™ shunt, and the Rivet Loc ™ line of Teflon insulated terminals.

In 1951, at a cousin’s engagement party, James was reintroduced to Cecelia Tirella who, remarkably, was born in the house next door to his but whose family subsequently moved away. Cecelia and James were married in 1955, and after residing briefly in Harrison, NY, they moved to Mamaroneck, NY, where they raised their four children.

After many years in Mamaroneck, James and Cecelia retired to Phoenix, AZ, relocating just recently to Frederick, MD, in order to be closer to family. This Memorial Day weekend, James and Cecelia celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends. Sadly, Cecelia passed away shortly thereafter.

James will be remembered by all for his gentle and patient nature, impressive innovative abilities, understated sense of humor, and unwavering integrity. His children and grandchildren will treasure the memories of the innovative toys, kites, and other objects he constructed for them, including sailboats from tin cans (the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María) that they sailed on Columbus Day, dolls with moveable limbs, and vehicles with fully working parts. James’ lifelong love of flight and aeronautics led him to build remote controlled airplanes, designing and producing his own custom tools in order to do so. His surviving family members treasure this exquisite collection.

James is survived by his sons, James Iantorno (Debbie) and Frank Iantorno (Marleni); his daughters, Susan Gal (Yechiam) and Stephanie Graham (Mark); three grandchildren, Itamar Gal, Adalei Gal Broers, and Nicole Iantorno; and his brother, Anthony Iantorno. He is predeceased by his wife, Cecelia, and his parents, Frank and Susan Iantorno.

The family attended a private service at Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick, MD; they plan a memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request donations be made to Hospice of Frederick County or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at  www.staufferfuneralhome.com.

Richard (Dick) Smith

Richard (Dick) Smith, 94, of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away September ll, 2015 from complications of dementia. He was born December 23, 1920 in Boone, IA. He spent his career at Nevada Bell in Reno, NV, retiring in l978. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 27 Humbolt Lodge in Lovelock NV for over 60 yrs. He was also a member of the Scottish Rites in AZ. He was past president of the Telephone Pioneers NV and Northern CA.

An avid golfer for many years, he truly loved the Sun Lakes lifestyle and will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his wife Arlene of 65 years. He is survived by daughters, JaNann Lewis (Wayne) of Sun Lakes and Kathy McDowell (Rick) of Virginia City, Nevada, six grandchildren and many great-grandkids.

Graveside services were held Friday, September 25 at Valley of the Sun Funeral Home, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Joy Voight

Joy Voight, 73, of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 18 with her loving family by her side. Joy is survived by her husband, Jack, her daughter, Julie Ahern (Patrick) and her son, John (Joelle) and her three beautiful grandchildren, Logan, Devon and Ava. She also leaves behind her brother, Raymond and sisters, Beverly and Mary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her name truly summed up the person she was, so full of “joy.” She never knew a stranger and made fast friends wherever she went. She had the best smile and always had a twinkle in her eye.

A celebration of life will be held November 7 at the Saguaro Room at Cottonwood from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Please stop by to share your loving memories and special stories with us.