Joseph Charles Saggio Obituary (1933 - 2011)

To view Joe's Celebration of Life, Click Here. To view Joe's Life Tribute, Click Here. Joseph C. Saggio Joseph Charles Saggio was born on November 20, 1933 to John and Carmella Saggio in Cleveland, Ohio and peacefully passed away on December 11, 2011 after a brief illness. Joe most recently lost his beloved wife of 53 years, Shirley in January. Together they had three children all residing in Arizona: Dr. Joseph J. Saggio of Peoria, Gina M. Saggio of Tucson, and Susan K. Thompson of Oro Valley. Joe was an engineer for more than fifty years, having graduated from East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio and then received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He served as a U.S. military officer, retiring as a Major in 1981. After retiring from the military he worked in the aerospace field for Martin Marietta, Lockheed, and then NASA, retiring in 2006. He attended Casas Church in Tucson and is survived by his three children, one sister: Connie Desantis of Twinsburg, Ohio and her husband Don, and a brother: Jim Saggio of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and his wife Carol. Joe is also survived by a cousin, Joseph A. Saggio of Westlake, Ohio and his wife Margaret. He is also survived by two sets of in-laws: Chuck and Patricia Strazinsky of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Richard and Dolores Kurowski of Twinsburg, Ohio, a son-in-law Kelly Thompson, a daughter-in-law Nancy Saggio, four granddaughters: Rachelle Owens, Leah Saggio, Bailee Thompson, Shelby Thompson, a great granddaughter: Kyree Owens, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Joe loved traveling, dining out, and volunteering at the Golden Goose Thrift Store in Catalina. He was an avid tennis player, having won a number of singles and doubles titles over the years, and was ranked as the Number 1 singles player, over the age of 45, in the US Air Force just prior to his military retirement in 1981. A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held on Friday January 6th at Vistoso Funeral Home 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Boulevard in Oro Valley at 2 PM. Dr. David L. DeGarmo, President of American Indian College of the Assemblies of God in Phoenix, Arizona will be officiating. In lieu of flowers the family has requested a donation to the Grief Services at the Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson.