Abram, John
John Phillip Abram, 45, of Litchfield Park passed away October 18, 2010 in Phoenix. He was born June 4, 1965 in Phoenix to Rosemarie Atkinson and John Abram. He lived in Switzerland and New York as a child before returning to Arizona with his family.
John was CEO and president of Compass Communications, Inc. He was a member of the Refinery Christian Church. He was a dirt biker and adrenaline junkie, a hard working, hard playing man. He was an avid Cardinals fan. He had the best smile. He was married to his wife Linda October 16, 2003. He loved his daughter and was an awesome dad and husband.
John is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Alaina, his mother and step father Rosemarie and Russell Atkinson, his father and step mother John and Kay Abram, his sister Deborah Scarlett, his brother Ryan Karylyle, and his grandmother Sally Gordon.
Services are Thursday, October 21 at the Refinery Christian Church, 600 N. Bullard, Goodyear, AZ. Visitation is from 4 to 7 pm. The Memorial service starts at 7:00pm.
Acuna, Mariano
Mariano Ferra Acuna was born on May 21, 1926 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. On Tuesday January 24, 2012 Mariano peacefully passed away at the Banner Desert Gardens Hospice facility. Mariano is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edibertha Acuña. He is also survived by his children, Elizabeth, Martin and Jose. Mariano is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.
Mariano lived his entire life in Arizona, starting out in the camps at Goodyear Farms in Litchfield. He later worked at the camps and then served his country in WWII. Upon his return he met his wife Edibertha. They were married on May 20 1954. They soon moved to Mesa, Arizona to begin their family. Mariano took a job working for a construction company. Soon thereafter he was hired to work for the City of Mesa where he retired after 35 years of service.
Mariano’s passing will leave a great void in the lives of people that got to know him, but we are sure that he is with us all still and will continue to watch over the people he loved and cared about.
Services will be held on Friday January 27, 2012 at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel 926 S. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear, Az. 85358 with a viewing from 10AM- 12PM, rosary from Noon until 1PM and the burial immediately following at the Goodyear Farms Historical Cemetery.
Adams, Frieda
Frieda R. Adams, 74, of Goodyear died June 2, 2011, in Youngtown. Mrs. Adams was born Nov. 5, 1936, in Hopkins County, Ky. She worked at Martino Paper. Mrs. Adams moved to Arizona in November 2000 and was a volunteer at the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank. She is survived by one brother, Gary McCracken of St. George, Utah; and one sister, Barbara Walters of Goodyear.
A memorial will be at a later date
Alcala, Carlos Francisco
Carlos Francisco Alcala was born in Mexico on June 27, 1955. He lived most of his life in the San Francisco area and moved to Phoenix in 2010. He passed away August 8, 2011. He is survived by his father Emanuel Alcala, sisters Luz Maria Miller, Margarita Rojas, Anita Alcala and brother Gustavo Alcala.
The family is requesting no flowers, but a donation instead to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014. Phone 602-530-6992 or at www.hov.gov refer: Luz Miller.
Amabisca, Frances
Dr. Frances Y. Amabisca, 88, of Goodyear, Arizona passed away on September 12, 2010. A lifelong educator, Dr. “A” as she was fondly called by all, was born in Hayden, Arizona on May 30, 1922. The oldest of four girls born to Bernardo and Paula Ybarra, Frances’ passion for learning was implemented at a very early age by her parents. This love would show throughout her life.
Dr. “A” received her BA in education and MA in education from Arizona State University. She also did graduate work at the Universidad de Mexico, Universidad Central de Venezuela and the University of Michigan. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration from Arizona State University.
Frances’ career as an educator has taken her from teaching positions in Thatcher and Litchfield Park high schools to Venezuela (Director of Personnel for Shell Oil) and back to the Avondale Elementary School District. Dr. A retired from the Avondale School District as Superintendent in 1987. In working with her students, Dr. ‘A’s goal has always been to encourage and help them prepare to become productive citizens. Dr. Amabisca would say of education, “teaching is the most powerful force influencing the future. The greatest honor any society can bestow upon an individual is to ….. entrust the minds and hearts of our children to you, placing the future of our world in your hands.”
Frances also served her community by accepting appointments to various educational committees including the National Migrant Education Task Force, the Education Commission of States plus ten years on the State Committee for Mentally Retarded Children. Dr. A also was a member of various service groups such as Soroptomist of Estrella and the Avondale Women’s Club plus membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, the Arizona Administrators Association and the International Society of Women Educators.
Recognitions include “The Migrant Educator” from the Arizona Department of Education, 1976, “Woman of the Year” from the Valley Business and Professional Women, 1981 and the Governor’s Award “Women Who Educate” from the Arizona Women’s Partnership, 1985.
In her last years, Frances continued to educate and serve in helping out with her church parish, St. John Vianney, the Avondale Library and various school associations. She lived her life as a true role model for all who came in contact with her just as Christ intended for her.
A special award for Frances came earlier this year from the Congregation of Holy Cross. The community of Holy Cross recognized Frances with their “Spirit of Holy Cross” award for her educational service to the priests at St. John Vianney Parish. Frances was honored and humbled to receive this award. Speaking of the priests who have been at St. John Vianney, Frances said, “They all tell me they have learned from me, but the truth of the matter is, I have learned from them”.
Dr. “A” is survived by her sisters, Elidia Herrera (Joe) and Carmen Portillo, eight nieces and nephews, twelve grand nieces and nephews and one great niece. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary Y. Garcia and husband Earnest Amabisca.
Visitation will be held at on Friday, September 24, 2010 at St. John Vianney from 6:00 pm through 8:30 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral mass will also be held at St. John Vianney located at 539 La Posada Blvd. in Goodyear, Arizona at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 25th. Internment will be at Holy Cross Cemetary with a reception to follow.
Donations in Dr. Amabisca’s name may be made to St. John Vianney for education, vocations and service at www.sjvaz.net.
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Amato, Al
Alfonso “Al” J. Amato, 76, a native Norristown, PA resident passed away at his home in Goodyear, AZ October 2, 2011. He was born June 15, 1935 in Norristown, PA to Salvatore and Margarete Amato. Alfonso moved to Arizona in 1999. He was a veteran of the US Army. He worked and retired from Lockheed-Martin.
Alfonso is survived by his wife Dixie D. Amato; sons Bryan and Darren Campbell; grandchildren Jason, Cole, Lindsey, Justin, Henry, and Otis; also surviving are sons Mark and Chris Amato; daughter Maryann Boyd, and numerous Amato Grandchildren. The family would like to acknowledge the Venezia Families and childhood friend Chuck Salamone and all of his friends along the way. A memorial service will take place Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:00pm in the garden at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338.
Memorials may be sent to the DAV or the Animal Rescue of your Choice.
Anderson, Je’Don
Je’Don Anderson, 36, of Goodyear passed away July 26, 2010 here in Goodyear. She was born September 27, 1973 in Los Angeles to Richard and Janell MacEnery. She graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in Thousand Oaks, CA. She was married to Matthew Anderson May 29, 1999 at 1st Christian Church in Newbury Park, CA. They moved to Arizona 9 years ago. Je’Don was doing her C.N.A. internship at the VA Hospital in Phoenix. She was a parishioner at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear, AZ.
Je’Don is survived by her husband, Matthew Anderson, her son Austin, her daughters Bailey and Dory, and her parents Janell and Richard MacEnery.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ, with a rosary to be prayed at 7:00pm. The funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 5 at 9:00am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E. La Posada Blvd., Goodyear, AZ, with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale, AZ.
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Arevalo, Nicanor “Nick”
Nicanor “Nick” Arevalo, 69, of Avondale, formerly of Long Beach, died January 24, 2011. He was born July 5, 1941 to Anacleto and Amalia Arevalo in Manila, Philippines.
Nicanor was a machinist for 25 years in the Aerospace Industry in California. He moved to Arizona to live with his son and family 5 years ago. A man known for his unique humor, and sweet tooth. He enjoyed trying his luck at the casinos and playing the lottery, never giving up on a dream of one day being a millionaire.
He was preceded in death by his wife Maria Cristina Arevalo. He is survived by his daughters Raquel Arevalo Fernandez and Shannah Arevalo Carias, his sons Nick Jr. and Jeff Arevalo, sisters Rosita “Rosy” Loyola, Angelita “Angie” Arambulo, Mercedita “Mercy” Lluch, and Zenaida “Zeny” Navoa, brothers Jhun “Junior” Arevalo, Danilo “Danny” Arevalo, Edmundo “Eddy” Arevalo, and 9 grandchildren.
Visitation for Nick will be Saturday, January 29 from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. The service will begin at 2:00pm, all at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ.
Arn, Harley
Harley Arn, 94, of Phoenix passed away Friday, October 8 at Hospice of the Valley in Goodyear. He was bornFebruary 24, 1916 in Monterey, OH to Gustave “August” and Katie A. Arn. He was a Farmer and a master gardner all of his life. He moved to Arizona 11 years agao. He is survived by his granddaughter Sandra Davis here in Phoenix as well as many loved ones and family and friends in Ohio. Services will be in Delphos, OH at the end of this week. Please check with Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, OH, (419) 692-8055 for exact times, locations, and days. Burial will be at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Putnam County, OH.
Arnic, Gwendolyn “Gwen”
On May 10, 2011, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Faye Arnic of Tolleson, AZ went to her final resting place. She was born June 26, 1948 in Luling, TX to James Wright and Ola Mae Foster. She spent most of her life in Texas where she attended and graduated from nursing school and dedicated her life to helping others. She moved to Arizona in 1986 but was a Texan at heart.
She is survived by three daughters Darrilyn Brooks (“Brooks”), Karlyn Haymore, Vanessa Granison (Luis) and two granddaughters who were her pride and joy, Melissa Wright and Aja Haymore. She is also survived by five sisters Beulah Steen, Evelyn Williams, Ola Mae Alexander, Bernice Ellison, Toni Wright and one brother, James Wright. She was preceded in death by her parents James Ray Wright and Ola Mae Foster and her beloved sister, Laura McGarity. She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Gwen was a true Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching all sports on TV. What she enjoyed most in life was bragging about her granddaughters, Melissa and Aja. She was very special and will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 2: 00 pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel located at 926 S. Litchfield Rd in Goodyear, AZ.
