John Anthony Solimena, 83, of Avondale, went to be with our Lord on July 10, 2020. John was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 17, 1936, the son of Victor and Rose Solimena, first generation immigrants from Italy. After his father passed at a very young age due to complications from appendicitis, John helped his mother with the limited family finances by getting various after-school jobs. With her consent, he joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17 and continued to send money home to his mother and little brother.
Immediately recognized by his superiors for his professionalism and positive attitude, John was handpicked for the newly-created and highly-selective Nuclear Munitions maintenance career field. After an outstanding 20-year career where he participated in several major system projects and successful initiatives, John declined further advancement and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in order to move his young family back to the Phoenix area for increased stability and quality of life.
Once settled, he started his second career with Garrett AiResearch, a local manufacturer of turboprop engines which would later become AlliedSignal and Honeywell. Always successful, John worked his way up to the Training School where he would instruct senior mechanics and engineers from other companies on how to better service and troubleshoot their engines. John excelled in this position as he loved the opportunity to educate others and enhance their professional development. During this time, John also attended business classes at night at Grand Canyon College to enhance his knowledge of training and development.
Throughout his life, John devoted himself to God and at an early age became a Freemason in the Masonic Lodge. He would later join the Scottish Rite for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry. And true to his desire to help others, John authored and published an educational book for his fellow Masons to assist them in better understanding the various rites and degrees. For his sustained service to the brotherhood, John was bestowed the honorary 33rd Degree and was presented with his White Hat at the Supreme Council in Washington, DC. John also spent many years in the Shriners. He was an active member (and eventual President) of the Clown Unit where he participated in countless fundraising events in support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
As a child, John was baptized in the Catholic Church, but he later joined the Episcopal Church to continue fellowship with his wife, Jo-Ann, and her family in their denomination. John attended church services regularly and ensured his children were brought up with the same sense of spirituality and faith. He was active parishioner at Saint Andrews Episcopal in Glendale and then later at Saint Peters Episcopal in Litchfield Park. Always concerned with the well-being of others, John helped start an afterschool dyslexia program for neighborhood children who suffer from that learning disorder.
From a young age, John enjoyed traveling and being in the great outdoors. He was an avid sportsman, fisherman and hunter. Every summer, he would take his family camping in the mountains; and over the years, they traveled through several states and to many of the national parks. John wanted to share his love for this great Country with his family and show them all of the beauty he found within it. He loved his devoted wife to his last day, and peacefully passed knowing she was safe and would be forever cared for. He dedicated his entire life to abundantly providing for his family and ensured his children were never wanting for anything. John loved his three children and their families. He demonstrated his love for them by actively supporting their varied interests, coaching on their teams, attending their events, participating in their activities, and spending precious time with them. John loved his younger brother and traveled great distances to visit with him and his family whenever possible. And John loved all those with whom he met throughout his life. He was an easy friend and enjoyed conversing with his fellow brothers and sisters at every opportunity. John will be sorely missed by all those who had the distinct pleasure of sharing his company and friendship. And from anyone who knew him, it can be said the world was truly a better place because of the Light that John Solimena brought into it.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 63 years, Jo-Ann; their three children: Debra, Jeffrey, and Cynthia, and their spouses, Rodney, Theresa, and James; five grandchildren: Quintin, Alyssa, Dana, Kaleigh, and Ryan; and his brother, Victor, and his wife, Theresa. John will be laid to rest in a private service on July 24 attended by his family. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.