MAFFEO, John Henry

Maffeo, John Henry John Henry Maffeo, 89, loving husband and father of seven, business owner, entrepreneur, artist, ecologist and lifelong Democrat, died on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at his home in central Phoenix. An Arizona pioneer, John was born in Globe on April 19, 1914, in the same house where his mother Ella Holohan Maffeo was born. He moved with his family to Phoenix where he attended St. Mary's Grammar School, Phoenix Union High School, Brophy College Prep, and Tempe Normal School (ASU). He married Mary June Reed of Cheyenne, Wyoming, at Trinity Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia on August 8, 1942, before leaving for duty as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Corps, 15th Air Depot. During World War II, he served in North Africa, Sicily and Bari, Italy. He returned to Phoenix in 1945 and entered business with his father, Henry, as Maffeo and Son, a resource recovery and recycling business which he ran for over 50 years, joined by his sons, John and Robert, and daughter, Mariane, until his retirement. He was appointed to the State Board of Juvenile Institutions by Governor Sam Goddard and later served as the Chairman of the Regional Export Expansion Council for the United States Department of Commerce. An international businessman, he represented the Swiss welding supply company, Eutectic-Castolin, and travelled around the world promoting Arizona commerce. He was active in the original 20-30 Club of Phoenix, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis International and several professional societies, including the American Welding Society. He was proud to serve as president of First Families of Arizona, an organization of pioneer families. In 1995, he published the First Families' Oral History Project, a book of historical remembrances of families who settled in Arizona prior to statehood. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary J. Maffeo, seven children, Katie Tovar (Leroy) of Mesa, AZ, Margaret (Mimi) Cordalis (Jim) of Tempe, AZ, John Reed Maffeo (Donna Larson) of Mesa, AZ, Robert Maffeo of Phoenix, Martha Mriss (Carl) of Phoenix, Mariane Maffeo-Muriel (Eddie) of Gilbert, AZ, Lois Maffeo (Eric), of Olympia, WA., and seven grandchildren, Danielle McCausland, South Bend, IN., Carrie Tovar, Los Angeles, CA., Kelly Cordalis, Tempe, AZ, Kristin Larson Wotjan, Selena Larson Maffeo, Devon Larson Maffeo, Mesa, AZ, Emma Muriel, Gilbert, AZ and Olivia Ann Muriel, New York City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Maffeo, and his sister, Lois Maffeo Weaver. Graveside services were held for the immediate family on Friday, December 19th. Remembrances to your favorite charity. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/21/2003.