Salvatore Xavier Xifo

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Salvatore Xifo Obituary

Salvatore Xavier Xifo

Salvatore Xavier Xifo passed away peacefully on May 26, 2013. Sal was born in Manhattan, New York 92 years ago. After graduating in 1941 from NYU in Aeronautical Engineering he began his engineering career with the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore MD. He completed Naval Officer Training in 1943 as an ensign, commissioned to the USS Columbus, Baltimore-classheavy cruiser joining the Pacific Fleet. After the War he resumed his engineering career in Maryland where he met and married his late wife, Lindsay and began their family. They moved to California where Sal had accepted a position with Northrop Corporation as an inflight test engineer for the F-89 Scorpion fighter. During his 40 years with Northrop Sal was involved in many projects beginning with the F-89, Snarkinte rcontinental cruise missile, F-5 Freedom Fighter, T-38 Talon, 747, Tacit Blue, B2 Stealth Bomber and the YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter. After retirement Sal and his wife, Virginia moved from Palos Verdes Estates to Carmel California. A Dodger fan, sports fan, handball player and an avid golfer Sal was a charter member of the Los Verdes Men's Golf & Country Club and continued to enjoy the game at his home in Carmel Valley Ranch.
He is preceded in death by his late wife, Lindsay, survived by his wife of 40 years, Virginia; his children, George Xifo (Kristy), Peter Xifo, Mary Margaret Rankin (Greg), Gina Webber (John), Michael Xifo (Cindy); two step daughters, Celeste Morningstar (Joe) and Catherine Weir (John), fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A celebration mass of Sal's life will be held Thursday, June 6th at Saint John Fisher Catholic Church, 5446 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes at 1100 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sal's memory are requested to the Carmelite Sisters by-the-Sea; Carmelite Monastery 27601 Highway 1, Carmel, CA 93923. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Breeze from May 31 to Jun. 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Salvatore Xifo

10 Entries

Maria Lukas

June 6, 2013

It is with sadness that I write my condolences. I knew Mr. Xifo in the 1960's; my family lived right down the street. His daughter, Mary Margaret was by babysitter. Lots of love to the family. Maria Colman

Margaret Smith

June 4, 2013

Sal was amarveles Gentleman and Steve and I have so many great memories of him We send our condolences to you Virginia and to the familily.

June 4, 2013

Gina,
Sal's passing is such sad news. Sal, Maggy and I were a very close team. He was my deputy for 4 years during the development of Northrop's stealth capability. He shared running a complex and expanding organization with skill, energy and friendship. His many contributions will never be forgotten by his coworkers. We are forever grateful for those years with Sal.

John Cashen & Maggy Rivas

Penny Fitzgerald

June 3, 2013

Gina. I felt like I had lost a legend when you told me of Sal's passing. Maybe because I never seemed to be able to see him that often. When your mother died, Molly was just born. When you visited in Vista I was off to school. But I remember the times we were together -- a Christmas dinner in Palos Verdes, Sal and Virginia visiting in La Jolla with my parents, his talk of work on the Snark in the 50s. When I found out he was one of the few people I knew who played handball I always wanted to arrange a game but when I might have been able to give him a good game he had already moved to Northern California. He was a larger than life figure to me and I will miss him.

Callie Jones

June 3, 2013

Gina,I was saddened to hear about Sal's passing. I worked for Sal approximately 3 years and he was a great manager. I loved his bow ties. My middle name is Virginia and he once told me he had a Virginia at home and one at work that kept him in line. I send my condolences to you and family and pray for your strength during this difficult time. Wow, 92 years.

Bob Knight

June 3, 2013

It is with great sadness that I learned the passing of our friend and neighbor, Sal Xifo. Sal was a consummate gentleman.
A class act. Sal and his family were friends with my family for years. We shared food and drink, glad times and sad times.
Sal's smile could light up a room. My brothers and I were friends with his kids as we grew up in Lunada Bay. My daughter is named for his first wife Lindsay, a promise I made to her before her untimely passing. My brother, Walter, and Peter we best of friends. The neighborhood was a better place when the Xifo family was there. a credit to Sal, and his unconditional love and leadership of his family.. I hope to see the family on Thursday, for we've been apart for too long.
May Sal rest in peace. He was a great guy.
Sadly Bob

Fayze Fandey

June 2, 2013

My first recollection of Sal was when he was the Project Engineer for the Northrop F-5 Program. His office and his staff of engineers were located on the second floor of the engineering building. As a member of pricing, I had a lot of contact with Sal as I worked on proposal involving the F-5. My manager, Gid Kelley, liked to irritate Sal by calling him Sol.

Later, Sal's daughter, Gina, was in my group in the Northrop Services Division.

I considered Sal to not only be a co-worker but to be a personal friend.

Fayze Fandey

May 31, 2013

Gina, I will never forget working with your dad. He was polite, funny, and always helpful. My sympathies are with you and I will be at his service.
Sincerely,
Cathy McBee

Roy Wubker

May 31, 2013

I think of Sal often and the positive impact he has had my life and career. Sal had a lot to do with my decision to leave Northrop and start my own company because he saw and encouraged things in me as a young engineer. I always looked up to Sal and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him and learn from him. He was a true engineer and gentlemen among men.

Ken & Ruth Mitzner

May 31, 2013

Our deepest sympathy. I was just thinking, very fondly, about Sal the other day, about the time a bunch of us were talking non-technical stuff at Northrop and I made a comment that sounded perfectly reasonable --- unless you understood Southern Italian dialect --- in which case it was a joke. So Sal started laughing and everyone else looked puzzled and wondered what was so funny. Sal was one of the most pleasant,best-natured, and wisest people I have met, and I have the greatest affection and respect for him and many fond memories. Ken M.

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