James M. SUSA

1935 - 2017

SUSA, James M. 81, passed away peacefully at home on June 24, 2017 in Tucson. Jim was born in Farrell, PA on July 23, 1935 to Stephen A. and Anna (Chernitsky) Susa. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond F. Susa and sister, Dorothy (Susa) Rauch. He graduated from Farrell High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force right after graduation. After completing cryptology training, he was assigned to the radar base in Thule, Greenland. In 1955, he was transferred to Tucson to coordinate the construction of the radar base upon Mt. Lemmon, where he served thereafter. Honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1958, he began a long career in banking by joining the Valley National Bank of Arizona in Tucson. His banking career took him to Casa Grande, Sedona, Prescott and Phoenix but he retired from banking in 1992 in Tucson, where he has resided since 1979. He has been a member of the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church since its founding in Tucson, has served as an usher for over 30 years and is a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active for six decades in Catholic activities, reactivating the Knights of Columbus Council in Casa Grande in the 1960s, member of the Serra Club in Tucson and served as President of the Tucson Diocese Catholic Foundation Board in the 1990s. He was awarded the Knight of the Year while in Casa Grande in 1969. Upon his transfer with the Valley Bank to Sedona, he reactivated Arizona's very first Knights of Columbus Council in nearby Jerome, Arizona. In addition to his Catholic activities, he was one of the founders of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Sedona and was a member of Rotary International for many decades. He was also selected as one of the 1967 outstanding young men of America. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rochelle; daughter, Shelley Stevens, son-in-law, Chris Stevens; son, James Susa; former daughter-in-law, Vicki Susa; son, Mark Susa; daughter-in-law, Susan Susa and daughter, Nancy Hokama; son-in-law, Jason Hokama. He is survived by his 14 grandchildren. Services will be on Monday, July 10, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Interment will be following at a private ceremony at Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Marana. In lieu of flowers, the family would request a contribution to the Knights of Columbus and the family invites those who wish to share personal stories of him to do so at jimsusamemories@gmail.com Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.