Obituaries

Loras (Larry) J. Schmitt passed away on November 9, 2017. A true gentleman with deep Midwestern roots and a profound love for Phoenix, Larry recently celebrated his 80th year with family and friends. Larry enjoyed growing up in the small town of Holy Cross, Iowa, attended Loras College in Dubuque, and then worked as a Horologist (Watchmaker). In 1970, Larry...

Paul Michael Colletti, 87, passed from this life in his Paradise Valley home surrounded by his loved ones on October 29th, 2017. Preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Mary Colletti and his sister Kathleen Colletti. Paul is survived by his wife Nancy Colletti; brother Angelo Pat Colletti (Linda); sister Catherine Poe; children John Colletti (Kathy), Angela Colletti-Cummings (Chris...

Larkin, Irene Grace (Douchey) of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on November 7, 2017. She was 93 years of age. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John “Jack” J. Larkin. She is survived by her older sister, Dorothy Slimp, of Albuquerque, NM; her sons; John J. Larkin, III and his wife, Rosa, Michael J. Larkin and his wife,...

Carolyn “Carrie” Elizabeth Cahill, 73, a native of Arizona, passed away on November 5, 2017. She was born on January 21, 1944 in Phoenix. Carrie was the daughter of Barney A. Cahill and Virginia A. Blanco. Her parents and her brother, Barney A. “Lefty” Cahill, predeceased her. The Rite of Committal will be conducted on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at...

Curtis (C.C.) Jones was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel and Lester Jones. He was one of six children born to that union. C.C. completed high school in Cincinnati and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduation. He followed the tradition of his older brothers Charles, Lowell, and Ralph. The family was loyal and committed to the USA...

Donald J. Lisa, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2017. Donald was born on April 6, 1935, in Camden, NJ, to Frank Lisa and Frances Piccione Lisa. He graduated in 1952 from Camden Catholic High School, standing 5th in his class. He was active in sports, was the starting third baseman for the CCHS State Championship baseball...

“Georgia” Juanita Valentina Trejo-Alvarez, of Phoenix AZ, went Home peacefully sharing the room of her beloved granddaughters (Daniella and Gabriel “Bella” Maldonado) surrounded by the love of her family and dear friends comfortably laying next to her daughter, Anna Maria, on All Saints Day, November 1, 2017. Georgia leaves us with an incredible appreciation for life, love, laughter, learning, art,...

Cruzita “Cruz” Gallegos Rodriguez passed away in peace at the age of 92 years on October 29th, 2017, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Tinnie, New Mexico, on December 3rd, 1924, she was one of seven children, where she worked arduously on her family ranch in Socorro, New Mexico. She moved to Phoenix,...

Amy Fraijo, 41, of Phoenix, AZ passed November 1, 2017. She was a native Phoenician. Amy loved art and brought joy to all she encountered. She is survived by her father David Fraijo, stepmother Sue and mother Arlene Fraijo; brothers Daniel and Manuel Fraijo; nephews David J. and Mondan Fraijo; Tia Norma Mondragon and her many cousins, family and friends....

Joseph Edward Jason, 75, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on October 30, 2017. Joseph is survived by his sister Kathleen Barraza (Miguel), his nephew and Godson Jason Barraza (Leila), grand-nephew Aiden and grand-niece Clare and several loving cousins in Arizona and New York. Joseph grew up in Clinton, NY and graduated from Clinton Central High School and proudly attended Rensselaer...

Robert (Bob) Sanchez, beloved husband, and father, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 29, 2017 surrounded by his family. Robert was born December 3, 1931 in Divine, Texas and after serving in the Army relocated to Arizona where he met his sweetheart, Mary Sernas. They were married on December 19, 1954. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Sanchez and...

A native Phoenician and proud of it, Edward Alan Schrey, 68, husband, father, grandfather, brother, passed away October 19, 2017 after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. He was born on September 20, 1949 to Alfred and Margaret (Pearson) Schrey. In his early years he was instrumental in the growth and development of Cervelli Distributers, responsible for the presence...

Marilynn B. Hughes, 88 of Phoenix, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2017 surrounded by family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Marilynn was born on October 16, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa. Raised in Urbandale, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late James Herbert and Edna Young Blackhurst and sister of the late Bonnie Wilcox,...

Cerimeli, Margaret Louise, 97 passed away peacefully on October 30th, 2017 in Chandler AZ. She was born in Youngstown Ohio and moved to Arizona in 1982. She is preceded in death by her husband Frank. She is survived by her three sons; Raymond, Frank ‘Donnie” and James Cerimeli. Visitation will be held on Friday November 3, 2017 from 12:30 to...

Dr. Edward F. Joganic, Jr. passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017 after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Ed was a treasured friend and father and a highly respected colleague recognized for his intelligence, skill and integrity. Ed was an extraordinary surgeon whose life work positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of patients, especially children with craniofacial...

Ralph William Thomas passed away peacefully on October 25, 2017 surrounded by his family and close friends. Ralph was born on June 10, 1943 in Langdon, North Dakota and was raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He attended school there until he joined the Marine Corp in 1961. After returning from the service, he worked with his Dad until he...

Stella Nuñez, 90 passed away on October 24, 2017 after a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by her loving family at home in central Phoenix where she had lived for the past fifteen years. Born February 24, 1927 in Tucson, Arizona. She grew up in Phoenix and briefly in Miami, Arizona. Scottsdale was home for 34 years where together...

David Harnett Geis 65, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on October 19, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. David was born in Dayton, Ohio and lived in Phoenix since the age of 2. He attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School, Brophy College Preparatory and graduated from Arizona State University. After serving in the Navy, he established a career in...

We said goodbye for now to Mike and then he transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. He was a good friend to so many. You think you have time, but you don’t. He was character and brought laughter to so many. Many of his friends will have hilarious memories forever. So long for now Mike, rest in peace. He is...

Ellen Ann Bolcko 76, of Glendale passed away on October 21, 2017. She was born on February 7, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa to Robert and Catherine Darland. Ellen’s family came to Arizona in 1952. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and was a certified addiction counselor. She was a member of Women in Aviation International and...