Spiro Spiteri

Spiro Spiteri, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Hendersonville, NC on October 15, 2025. Born January 9th, 1932 on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta, Spiro lived a remarkable life of 93 years.

As a teenager in 1948, Spiro along with his parents and siblings, left Malta to embark on a bold journey to the United States, settling in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. A hard working and industrious young man, he quickly found opportunity working as an apprentice at the Southern Pacific Railroad where he honed his mechanical and carpentry skills to become a talented craftsman. Spiro joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and excelled in his military training to become an Aircraft Electrician. An expert technician, repairman, and troubleshooter, he served with the 93d Field Maintenance Squadron maintaining the U.S. Air Force's fleet of strategic bombers during his tour of duty in California, and on missions to the North Pole and the Sahara Desert. Following his 4 years of military service, Spiro returned to San Francisco where he met the love of his life, a beautiful red-headed Swiss girl named Ruth Fischer. Spiro and Ruth were married on October 4th, 1958 and soon settled in the city of South San Francisco where they raised their four children David, John, Robert, and Veronika. Spiro applied his military training and experience from U.S. Air Force to a long and successful career in the civilian aviation industry, working as a Flight Simulator Technician for Pan Am Airlines in San Francisco and Miami, FL and later retiring from Delta Airlines in Atlanta, GA with 26 years of dedicated service.

A man of many interests and talents, Spiro was an avid sports enthusiast, never missing a chance to cheer on his cherished San Francisco 49ers, Giants, and Golden State Warriors.

As a young man he was a competitive bowler who won tournament after tournament with unbeatable precision and accuracy. Spiro was a passionate, motivating, and memorable coach, leading his boys youth soccer teams to many victories and league championships. Spiro was a craftsman who loved to work with his hands building furniture and working with wood, tinkering with electronics, and completing projects around the house. He enjoyed playing games on the computer like solitaire and flight simulator, and treasured moments spent with family playing board games and doing puzzles. Spiro loved, adored, and doted over his little princess Zaira, a smart, playful, and loving Shih Tzu.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Josephine Bajada Spiteri; his devoted wife of 59 years, Ruth Spiteri; his eight brothers; and his little dog Zaira. Spiro is survived by his loving children: David Spiteri, John Spiteri and his wife Silvia, Robert Spiteri and his wife Christine, and Veronika Giacomaro and her husband Christopher. He also leaves behind cherished grandchildren: Andy, Stephanie, Emily, Mathew, Brian, Gabrielle, and Olivia, as well as great-grandson Jonathan. His sisters, Mary Galdes and Margie Galdes, along with numerous nieces and nephews, mourn his passing.

Memorial services will be planned at a later date in the San Francisco Bay Area, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Spiro's life.