HAAS, ALEX J.

Alex J. Haas, 89, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2012, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Alex was born April 5, 1923 in Independence, Kansas, the only child of Cynthia and Morris Haas. During World War II, he served his country honorablyas a demolition expert, a service which left him with many hair-raising stories of adventure from the beaches of Normandy to liberating castles in the French countryside. Alex was devoted to helping today’s veterans through the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs COmmittee. Alex closed his family’s clothing store and relocated to Phoenix in 1959. During his many years as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker, he was a pioneer in the industrial development of Phoenix. He was instrumental in the sale which led to the development of the Arizona Biltmore Resort. Among his many civic and philanthropic contrubutions, he served as an advisor for the Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, organized and delivered donations to orphanages in Mexico, and ws an active member of the Franciscan Renewal Center Roman Catholic commmunity. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 65 years, Hosephine, and their three children, Morris, Marilyn and Bruce, his eight grandchildren, and all those who loved him and his wonderful sense of humor. A Funeral Mass will be held at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, at 10:30am,Friday, November 23, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Franciscan Renewal Center.