Polityka, Donald Edward
August 11, 1941 - January 11, 2013 Donald Edward Polityka (Don) passed away at Hospice of the Valley Eckstein Home on Friday, January 11th, 2013 at the age of 71, following a courageous two-and-a-half year battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Don is predeceased by Jean Pohicky (mother) and Edward Polityka (father). He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, of 49 years. They were married in New York on April 25th,1964. Don is lovingly remembered by his son, Christopher, of Phoenix, AZ, his sisters Jean Moro and Tammy Polityka, and his brother Stephen Polityka. Don was born in the Bronx, NY in 1941. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1959 and was the first in his family to go on and earn a bachelor's degree. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1963 and completed an MBA from the ASU WP Carey School of Business following their move to Arizona in 1972. Don worked for 32 years at Motorola Semiconductor in management and concurrently served in the Arizona Air National Guard retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel completing 20 years of service for his country. Don enjoyed gardening, hiking, skiing, baseball, basketball, and racquetball. Other interests included reading, music, nature walks, and prayer. The visitation will be held at the Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, located at 6500 E. Bell Rd. on Friday, January 18th from 5 to 7 PM. A rosary service will follow from 7 to 8 PM. The funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church located at 10755 North 124th St. in Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19th at 10 AM with the Most Reverend Gordon D. Bennett, SJ presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Seena Magowitz Foundation (a 501(c)(3) NPO), a leading pancreatic cancer foundation in the United States. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to submit online condolences.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Jan. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Edward Polityka

7 Entries

Bob Insull

January 25, 2013

I knew Don as a fellow member of Manhattan College Class of '63 and Air Force ROTC. RIP, Don.

Lisa Borawski

January 22, 2013

I worked with Don at Motorola SPS. He was a great mentor! I much enjoyed my time working with him.

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

January 14, 2013

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Ralph Fay

January 13, 2013

Worked with Don in various groups at Motorola, always a gentlemen,

steve stephens

January 13, 2013

Don was a good worker and a god fearing man.

Bill Seiferth

January 13, 2013

I worked with Don for many years at Motorola. He was a great guy.

Everett J. Sherwood

January 13, 2013

I met Don while working on Motorola Semiconductors Portfolio Management Team back in the mid-1990's. A real gentleman and a great pleasure to work with. He was an asset to our organization and helped make a positive change to outdated procedures.

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Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery - Scottsdale

6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

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