In Passing – November 2014

Joyce Mary (Banks) Wood-Bolesworth

Joyce Mary (Banks) Wood-Bolesworth, born March 17, 1921 in Birmingham, England had resided in Arizona since 1962. She returned to the Lord on August 13, 2014. Joyce is survived by her husband, Burt Bolesworth, their combined children, Beverly Goins, Deborah Wood-Schade, Dianne Carney, Cheryl Harris and Steve Harris. Between the two families there are nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to honor Joyce was held on September 27, 2014 at the First Baptist Church, Sun Lakes AZ.

Patricia D. D’Onofrio

Patricia D. D’Onofrio, wife of Gerry D’Onofrio and mother of Gerry, Jr. (and wife Tammi) and Mark A., passed away on October 5 at age 79.

She was born in New York City, daughter of the late Pasquale and Madeline (Aloisi) Pittelli. She is survived by brother, Sam, two grandchildren, Christa Bohannan (and husband Aaron) of Little Elm, Texas and Gino D’Onofrio of Mesa, Arizona, three great-grandchildren, AJ, Elijah and Isabella. Mamma Pat (Patty) as she was known, had a remarkable zest for life. She loved being around her family, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved people and touched many, many lives.

She will truly be missed by all.

Aldo B. “Galvi” Galvanoni

Aldo B “Galvi” Galvanoni, age 94, passed into eternal life on Monday, September 1, 2014. He was the loving husband of Gladys B. Galvanoni, father of Anne B. Galvi and Grace M. Galvanoni, grandparent of Angela D. Christensen (Colby S.) and Matthew C. Gauntt, great-grandparent of Zachary A. and Tessa A. Christensen. To this family, and to those who knew him best, he leaves a legacy of enthusiasm and youthful vigor –a passion for life and for sharing it with others.

A leader from a young age, Aldo was an Eagle Palm scout and assistant scoutmaster at age 15. At age 19, he earned his Mechanical Engineering degree with distinction from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, also earning an honorary engineering award. It was in these engineering studies that he discovered an enthusiasm for the mechanics of flight – something that would become one of his greatest passions and permeate his life.

During WWII, he had top-secret clearance as a technical director and test pilot, where he corrected and restored to duty fleets of grounded military aircraft, as well as conducted experimental flights of military aircraft. It was a role that was not without risk, but one which his keen understanding of flight mechanics was particularly suited for. It was during this time that he contributed to the engine design that led to the successful flight of the B-29 Bomber which dropped the first atomic bomb upon Hiroshima and ended the war.

His post-war years were spent in industrial management, including general manager for a division of a large corporation. He then spent the next 20 years owning his own consulting firm where he advised CEOs of corporations, increasing growth and profits, and, using the same attention to detail and intellect that allowed him to troubleshoot faulty aircraft engines, engineered numerous turnarounds of failing businesses.

He was chairman of the American Management Association and Chamber of Commerce Seminars and authored domestic and international technical articles. He was also active in numerous Roman Catholic Church ministries at Parish and Diocesan levels.

As an avid pilot and instructor, “Galvi” piloted personal planes to clients across the country. He was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration the prestigious citation “Master Pilot” for 65 years of accident-free flying, something in which he took great pride. After his retirement to Arizona, he founded the Sun Lakes Aero Club, which served aspiring non-pilots along with military pilots, airline pilots, and general aviation pilots – ever willing to share his passions with others.

A note from your family:

Husband, Daddy, Grandpa, Nonnu,

You were never happier than when you took to the skies, and so it is, with glistening eyes and pride in having known you, that we bid our final farewell as you depart on the last great flight of life.

We’ll not be able to look to the sky without the thought of you. You have inspired, comforted, and loved each of us and these memories will always remain in our hearts.

May you fly forever on the wings of angels, and may God comfort and keep you until we meet again. v

Robert H. Hackbarth

Robert H. Hackbarth of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, September 10.

Bob was born on October 10, 1930 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He owned and operated his family business, Broadview Florist and Greenhouses, from 1957-1990 in Ft. Wayne before retiring to Arizona.

Bob is survived by his wife, Arlene, sons Robert Jr. (wife Kaye), Douglas (wife Sandy), daughter Cindy Newhouse (husband Mike), step-son Robert Carsten (wife Judy) and 12 grand and great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Charlotte H. Hansen

Charlotte H. Hansen, of Jamestown, North Dakota and Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on September 28. Charlotte was born on June 1, 1922 in Jamestown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon H. Hansen. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1940, attended Jamestown College (now the University of Jamestown) and received her BS in Bacteriology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1944. She also completed graduate work in x-ray technology.

Charlotte and Gordon were married in 1945 and had one daughter, Dr. Jo-Ida C. Hansen. They owned the Jamestown Sun where Gordon served as President and Publisher and Charlotte as Vice President and Food and Travel Editor. She also wrote a monthly recipe column for the Splash. She was an avid traveler visiting over 100 countries and all seven continents. She won state and national awards for her travel and food stories and photographs. She published four cook books and taught microbiology and lab sciences at the University of Jamestown (UJ). Charlotte was deeply involved in community, business, educational and philanthropic activities in Sun Lakes and Jamestown. In Sun Lakes, she belonged to the Methodist Church and Choir, Rotary International, PEO, Southwest Singers and several dance clubs. She was the first woman Director of First Bank-Jamestown (now US Bank) as well as the first woman elected to the Board of Directors of the First Bank System (US Bank Corporation). Charlotte was named Outstanding Citizen of North Dakota, Citizen of the Year of Jamestown, was inducted into the UJ Hall of Fame, and received an honorary doctorate from UJ.

Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Jo-Ida, a professor at the University of Minnesota and her son-in-law, John P. Campbell, also a professor at the University of Minnesota.

Doloros Leistra

Doloros Leistra passed away on October 4 at her home in Sun Lakes, AZ. She was born September 11, 1934 to Audrey Lewis and Stanley Burton. She graduated from Pierre High School in 1951.

Doloros is survived by her husband, Dale, of 51 years, daughters, Carol Kleinheksel Gardner, Jean Leistra Bouse, Barbara Leistra Bratcher, sons, Richard Kleinheksel and Michael Leistra, her four sisters, Marlene Goglin, Betty Coughlin, Sandy Price and Karen McBrayer, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Russell Burton.

Doloros worked as a bailiff in Lawrence County and was a secretary for two bowling leagues for over 25 years in Deadwood. In Arizona she was a proud volunteer at the Chandler Hospital.

Her greatest joy in life was the holidays that she spent with her siblings, friends and family.

Lillian Mary (Melanson) Lombard

Lillian Mary (Melanson) Lombard, 89, of Sun Lakes, Arizona died peacefully in bed on Tuesday September 23, 2014. She closed her eyes to go to sleep and when she woke up she was in Heaven. Lillian is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ralph, as well as her two children, daughter Sally Anne Woodward and husband Kirk of Mesa, Arizona and son Ralph Lombard Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a loving grandmother to her only grandson, Joshua and wife Stephanie Lombard, and her three great grandchildren, Kylie, Madeline and Logan. She is also survived by her only sister, Gloria Richardson of Worcester Massachusetts, and nephews and niece, Robert, Donna, Steve and Gary.

Lillian was born May 25, 1925 in Worcester Massachusetts, daughter of the late Joseph and Edna Melanson. She worked as a secretary for Norton Company until she married Ralph in 1955. Her happiest years were spent as a loving wife and mother raising her family. Lillian called Middlefield, Connecticut and Stamford, Connecticut home for many years before settling in Charlotte, North Carolina. She and Ralph retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 2005.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley.

John Edward Stoner

John Edward Stoner, 91, departed this life September 24 at Dobson House Hospice of the Valley in Chandler. He was born November 30, 1922 in the town of Afton in northern Michigan. Growing up in rural Onaway, John mastered farming skills and graduated from Onaway High School.

When the nation learned that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, John and his buddies committed to the war effort. On December 8, 1941, he headed to the nearest federal building to sign up. The recruiter asked if he could operate equipment. “Yes, sir!” John replied, to which the recruiter responded, “Put this kid in the Seabees!” John’s Seabees training was at Camp Peary, Virginia. His skills were needed on “D Day” at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, where he acted as Construction Ship-Fitter Third Class. The crew’s ship went back to England, then returned to the U.S> John was transferred to San Diego for weeks of training before being shipped to Okinawa. There he built landing strips for American planes in the Spare Parts Repair Unit for the Army and Navy.

While serving in World War II, John contracted tuberculosis, spent 18 months in a TB sanitarium in Detroit, and lost one lung to the illness. He was not expected to survive.

After military service, John married and had two daughters, Gay and Debee. He attended business school and acquired a degree in accounting.

John had a talent for numbers and began working as head cashier at General Motors’ Fisher Body Division in Warren, Michigan. It was there that he met Patricia and they married on Valentine’s Day in 1969. He took Pat’s family as his own and helped raise her three sons, Bryce, Craig and Brad. Including John’s daughters and Pat’s daughter Jan, they were parents to six teenagers simultaneously. John’s patient, easy-going nature made it possible.

Upon retirement from Fisher Body, John and Pat followed their sons to Arizona, settling in Sun Lakes, where they resided since 1983. They loved the Sun Lakes lifestyle, being active in many social activities and garnering many friendships along the way. While John was busy on the golf course, Pat was active as an original member of the inspiring fitness group “The Dancin’ Grannies.”

John’s passion and talent for renovating, along with Pat’s gift for decorating, gave the couple a showplace home where they loved entertaining family and friends. The two enjoyed a long marriage that included vacationing across much of North America and taking cruises to Caribbean locations.

John Stoner was known for his kindness to everyone. He is dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by Pat; daughters Gay and Debee of Michigan; step-daughter Janice; and step-sons Bryce, Craig and Brad McClellan of Arizona, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services with military honors were held at Sun Lakes Methodist Church on September 30, followed by an interment ceremony in the church’s Memorial Garden.

Victor Thaete

Victor Thaete, 81, of Broomfield, passed into Eternal Life on September 4, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ramona; children, Nickie (Warren) Wegner and Kevin Thaete; grandchildren, David Wegner, Teresa Thaete and Brad (Katie) Thaete; and great-grandchild, Tylan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Ella; and daughter-in-law, Sue Thaete.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations in Victor’s name may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203 or www.alz.org.

Bruce T. Wagoner

Bruce T. Wagoner, age 66, received his heavenly wings on September 26, 2014 at The Hospice Home in Kingman, Arizona. Bruce was born March 10, 1948 in Miami Beach, Florida. He and his wife, Pam, moved from Alaska to Sun Lakes in 2001 and enjoyed the Sun Lakes life until 2011 at which time they moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona. Bruce leaves behind Pam, his wife of 31 years, his daughter, Jana Lantor of St. George, Utah and his long- time companion, Casey the dog. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing golf. They owned a Courier business in Alaska for the past 24 years.

There will be a Celebration of Life in November in Sun Lakes. Memorials may be made to the Arizona Humane Society in memory of Bruce and his love for animals.

Thomas E. Walmsley

In loving memory of Thomas E. Walmsley, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 20. 1918, deceased September 21, 2014 in Chandler, AZ. Survived by Elizabeth (Betsy) Mary Allen, Gordon Wayne Allen, Daniel Jason Allen, Diane Todd, Norma Doenlen, Kent Walmsley and family and Audrey Walmsley.

Tom was a sweet, loving husband and father. Tom graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a Lieutenant Commander (pilot) in the United States Navy and served in WWII. Tom enjoyed dancing with Mabel, his wife of 68 years. He loved to fly, sail and golf. He had been around the world and seen so much. He will be missed very much, but is now at peace.