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Phillip Savittieri
Phillip Savittieri, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather passed away March 30, 2013, at the age of 86.
Phillip was born in Newark, N.J. on April 29, 1926. In the early ‘40s, his mother and father moved them to Paradise Valley, Ariz., where they started a custom home building company, Paramount Builders, and opened a butcher shop and grocery store.
Phillip, along with his father and brothers, built many homes across the Valley and he was one of the very first builders in Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills.
In 1951, he married his “lover,” Mary Diana, and they settled down in the Arcadia district. By 1971, Phillip had four children and decided to move his family to Fountain Hills where he became very influential in the development of the town. Here, he started Saville Contractors and built the first duplex and many of the homes and commercial buildings.
Phillip was very active within the community, including with the Chamber of Commerce, the Fountain Hills Builders Association and the Arizona State University organization.
He would always stop to chat with anyone at any time. You could always find him at the local Bashas’ talking with employees and mingling throughout.
Papa, as he was lovingly called, was proud of his family and will be dearly missed by those who knew him. He was a kind, gentle and caring man who could always put a smile on anyone’s face.
He loved to grocery shop, go out for breakfast, attend ASU football games and dance and travel with his “lover.”
Phillip is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Diana; his children, TerrylLynne, Allyson Corcodel, Chris (Susan), Kimberly Morgan (JL); grandchildren, Tiffany (Chris), Troy, Franco, and Sam and one great-grandchild.
Services were held Tuesday, April 2, in Fountain Hills. The family asks donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.
Tony Atchinson
Tony (Neil E.) Atchinson was born Dec. 6, 1928 in LaPorte, Mich. to Milfred and Katherine Atchinson.
Tony spent most of his life in Michigan on the farm, in the hardware business and working for the state in the Department of Mental Health from which he retired.
In addition, Tony had an independent carpet laying service and was an avid duck hunter. Some of his best stories involved his fishing and hunting experiences with his best Michigan buddy, Carl, or his Arizona buddy, Mose.
In 1972 he visited Arizona and met Sally Ballee’, who had just moved into Fountain Hills with her two children, Sheri and Steve. They were married that summer.
He and Sally had two homes in Fountain Hills during their 41 years together, finally downsizing to a condo simplifying life, traveling more and spending the summers in their log home in Hunter Creek, Ariz.
One of Tony’s joys was scanning the horizon and recalling their hikes to the surrounding peaks, including Red Rock when it was accessible. After retirement he learned to country line dance, pilot a plane and fit in lots of happy hours and travel. Always friendly and welcoming, he gathered friends and initiated fun with his warmth and storytelling.
He had three brothers and one sister and is preceded in death by both parents, his sister, Adretta Pitcher, and his older brother, Dale Atchinson. His brother, Ray Atchinson, lives in Greenville, S.C., and his brother, Glenn Atchinson, in Fountain Hills.
Tony and Sally’s marriage brought Glenn to Fountain Hills to marry them and subsequently relocating here and founding the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. Tony loved that as brothers they could be together often.
He has a son, Jay Atchinson, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, stepson, Steve Ballee’, and three living stepdaughters, Billie Ann Cotner, Betty Printz and Wanda Austin, and one who predeceased him, Sheryl Rinfret.
In a memorial to daughter Sheri, Tony and Sally purchased the sculpture “More than Words,” which was donated to the Town of Fountain Hills. Tony was thrilled with hunting for an appropriate piece, finding it and then being able to see it installed and dedicated this year in February.
There will be a remembrance service Thursday, April 18, at the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church or to the Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association public art fund.
Hazel Elrod
Hazel Louise (Fitzgerald) Elrod, born Nov. 2, 1919, completed her life’s journey April 11, 2013. She had been a lifelong resident of Anderson County, Texas and was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Regester Elrod, in June 1995.
In October 2012 she moved with her son and daughter-in-law to Fountain Hills where she resided with them until her death.
In 1953 she was among the first class of student vocational nurses to graduate from Memorial Hospital in Palestine. She was a part of the nursing staff employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Memorial Hospital in Palestine from 1953 to 1958.
Following her training and employment with Memorial Hospital, Hazel was the office nurse with several physicians in Palestine. They included Dr. Brewster Harrington,1953-58; Dr. William R. Knowles, 1958-62; Dr. Harry Havalah, 1962-64; Dr. Robert Cox, 1964-69; Dr. Robert Moore, 1970-71; Dr. Charles Nichols, 1970-71; Dr. Roy Mathis and Dr. C.H. Gregory, 1971-74; Dr. Jack Thompson, 1977-1983.
Over the years she came to know so many patients of these physicians that they readily recognized and remembered her for having given them their necessary shots.
Following her years with local physicians she served as camp nurse at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center and Dr. Curtis Jordan in Urgent Health Care.
In 1991 she and her husband moved to the farm, Concord Lodge, which had been a part of the Fitzgerald family since 1850. Their son, Dr. Jerry D. Elrod, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Sharon Shaw Elrod, retired there in 1998 where they resided until moving to Arizona in 2012.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and Brushy Creek United Methodist where the Elrod ancestral family held membership over a period of more than 150 years.
Among those surviving Mrs. Elrod are her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Sharon; her grandson, Joel David Elrod of San Francisco; granddaughter, Char of Scottsdale; and great-grandchildren Alec, Ani, Holly and Brittney; other surviving relatives include brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her vigilant canine companions and caretakers, Zebediah, Patton and Isaiah.
A reception was held at Herrington/Land of Memory in Palestine, Texas on Tuesday, April 16. A graveside service will be held at Concord cemetery Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m.
Memorials may be sent to Lakeview Methodist Conference Center or Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix.
View online at www.herringtonfuneral.com.
Joseph G. Luchi
Joseph Gino Luchi, 88, died peacefully on April 2, 2013, at his home in Fountain Hills with his family by his side.
One of seven children, Mr. Luchi was born on Jan. 7, 1925, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Gino and Pia Luchi.
Growing up, Joe excelled in a number of sports especially basketball playing for Portsmouth Central Catholic High School. Joe was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where, in 1951, he earned all-conference honors for the Bearcats in the Mid-American Conference.
Known for his relentless determination, competitive spirit, and reliable left-hand jumper, “Jumping Joe” Luchi, as captain, helped lead the Bearcats to the 1951 National Invitational Tournament held at Madison Square Gardens in New York.
Joe was a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa (vice-president), Sigma Sigma, Ulex, and Omicron Delta Kappa where he was given the “outstanding UC senior athlete” award. Joe was also selected “outstanding personality” of the class of 1951, an elite group of 18.
After graduation, he was a third round draft pick of the New York Knickerbockers of the NBA.
During World War II, Joe served honorably as a gunnery training sergeant at a number of stateside USAAF bases. Joe always enjoyed dancing to the tunes from the Big Band era and was particularly fond of reading western novels by renowned author Louis L’Amour.
Joe married Billie Frances Pridemore in Lexington, Ky. on Nov. 24, 1944 and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, eventually residing for over 43 years in the town of Greenhills.
Joe started teaching and coaching at Roger Bacon High School in 1952. Afterwards, he began a long, successful sales career in the automobile and aerospace industries. He retired in 1993.
Joe was well-known and respected for his integrity, generosity, wit and hard work. To ensure his fellow salesmen at Voi-Shan Aerospace received appropriate recognition for their various achievements, Joe helped establish the legendary “Voi-Shan Academy.”
Joe and Billie moved to Fountain Hills in 1996. Joe was a member of the Kentucky Colonels, the American Legion, and attended the Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills.
Besides his wife Billie, Joe is survived by his five children: Michael (Jorj) Luchi of Granbury, Texas, Laura Luchi (Stephen) LaMendola of Beaumont, Texas, Dee Luchi (Charles) Hernandez of Phoenix, Joe (Teresa) Luchi of Folsom, Calif. and Dana Luchi (Leslie) Tompkins of Phoenix. He was the proud grandfather of Tara, Joey, Michael, Luke, Cassie, Lara Lee, AmieAnn, Trey, Tate and Jeb; and the great-grandfather of Frances, Grady and Nettie.
At the family’s request, no service will be held.
Kenneth Martinez
Kenneth P. Martinez, 79, of Fountain Hills, beloved husband of Carrie (CJ) and loving father, brother and proud grandfather and great grandfather, passed on April 8, 2013.
He was a special man who touched many lives. He proudly served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was highly decorated receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He also served for over 30 years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary reaching the rank of commander.
Donations recommended to either the Disabled American Veterans or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A memorial celebration was held at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary Chapel Saturday, April 13.
Harley McFarland
Harley G. McFarland, 94, passed away on April 8, 2013. He was born Aug. 30, 1918 in Glendive, Mont.
He is survived by his son, Kenneth McFarland; daughter, Karen Cleaver; sisters, Gloria Boatright and Leta Voris; brother, Arthur McFarland; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He served in the U.S. Navy from August 1945 to March 1946 where he received a hardship discharge due to illness in the family.
He served on the city council in Mountlake Terrace, Wash. from 1954 to 1960 and with the last two years as mayor. He was active in the Baptist Church serving on the church council and acting accountant. He privately owned his income tax business and was active until his 80s. He was active in the Elks for many years.
He was dearly loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed.
Donations in his name may be made to Hospice of the West, 21410 N. 19th Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
Harley’s ashes will be taken to Auburn, Wash. where they will be included with his wife’s, Faith McFarland.
Robert J. Moore
Robert James Moore was born June 22, 1924 to Howard D. and Lydia (Weaver) Moore in Shamokin, Pa. He died April 12, 2013.
He had two stepdaughters, Nancy A. Taylor and Winifred E. Tranaas, seven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandson.
Mr. Moore worked for Amtrak as a clerk and retired after 41 years. He was also justice of the peace in West Fairview, Pa. He moved to Arizona in 1993.
He was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Enola, Pa. and Church of the Ascension Catholic Church in Fountain Hills.
He is a member of the Moose Lodge No. 107.
Michael Paluch Sr.
Michael F. Paluch Sr., 66, passed away peacefully at Scottsdale Healthcare on April 11, 2013 surrounded by his loving wife Debra and close family.
Mike was born in Chicago in 1947 and retired in 1998 from the Bureau of Streets, City of Chicago. He and his wife Debbie moved to Fountain Hills in 2000, built a house in Trilogy in Peoria and recently returned to Fountain Hills to be closer to family.
Mike would always stop to chat with anyone at any time and was a good friend to many. He was proud of his family and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. He was a loving and caring man who could always put a smile on anyone’s face with his jokes and funny stories.
Mike loved to golf, play poker, shop and go to garage sales with his wife Debbie. We will miss Mike’s laughing blue eyes, his larger than life personality and terrific smile.
Mike is survived by his cherished wife, Debbie; brother, Joseph (Dolores); son, Michael Jr. (Janet) of Chicago; daughter, Devri Quintana; stepsons, Anthony (Bailey) Budka of Hoffman Estates, Ill., TJ (Larain) Budka of Ayer, Mass.; granddaughters, Brittney and Michaela; nieces, Sherri Richmond, Jennifer (Travis) Surface; two great nephews, one great niece, many cousins and extended family.
A memorial service will be held at Messinger Funeral Home in Fountain Hills on Wednesday, April 17, 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Richard E. Sievers
Richard Edward Sievers, 86, was born in Fremont, Neb. on Sept. 22, 1926, and passed away April 4, 2013 in Fountain Hills.
Richard served on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific during WWII from 1944 to 1946 and also served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.
He loved Hawaii and it was there he met his wife, Mary Lou. Richard worked for sugar cane and pineapple companies in Hawaii as well as for the Bank of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii.
Richard is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; a daughter, Lynn L. Kennaly (David); and grandchildren, Patrick and Erin.
Memorials may be given to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, P.O Box 17444, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269, or the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741 5018, www.parkinson.org.
