S. A. "JOHN" CARABBA

S. A “John” Carabba went home to the Lord, with his family at his side on July 14, 2009.

He was born on November 25, 1925 in Pasadena, CA to Vincent and Amparo Carabba. John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served on the USS Oconto, performing many duties throughout the Philippines and Japan. His ship participated in the Navy flotilla near the USS Missouri during the signing of the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. John received the Philippine Liberation 1 Star Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. His biggest job was raising 10 kids but more on that later!

In 1947, fresh out of the Navy and new to Anacortes, John tried his hand at any job, from the Plywood mill, to cooking on fishing boats, to working the seafood cannery lines. In 1947 John opened the “Station”. For 38 years he operated Chevron Standard Oil station at 12th and Commercial, and then sold it to his son, David. John owned General Aviation, Skyline Air Service—where he started the first U.S. Mail run and passenger service to the San Juan Islands--and Cascade Air. Because of his passion for Community, he started Four Star Development Corporation and built the first airport in Anacortes, the Harbor House, many apartments and other buildings around town.

To get a pulse on Anacortes, John was involved in many clubs and organizations. For 44 years he was involved with Rotary of Anacortes and was considered a Senior Member. John was a Chartered Member of Anacortes Medical Foundation; he was on the Board of Directors of Catholic Community Services; he was a 50 year member of the Elks Club; and he was a Chartered Member in 1953 of the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. For 12 years John was Chairman of the Anacortes Planning Commission for the City of Anacortes. He also served on the Board at St. Mary Catholic Church, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the Board of Trustees for the Skyline Beach Club. John wore his AOPA (Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association) member wings proudly. His most recent induction into the exclusive QB’s (Quiet Birdsmen) left him re-energized about flying.

John’s years of hard work paid off. He was recognized over and over for his accomplishments. In 1982 he received the Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year Award” and “Citizenship Award”. He received the “Paul Harris Rotary Award” in 2002. Standard Oil recognized John many times over the years with “Excellence” Awards. He received a “Member of the Month” for St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus. In 2008 he was given the “Spirit of the Island” Award by Island Hospital Foundation. Just recently he was nominated by Paul Luvera and received the “Liberty Bell” Award for Skagit County.

John found lots of time to play and enjoy life. He was constantly recruiting partners for his Tuesday and Friday tennis league. Every sunny day, John was found gardening. But if there was any excuse to drop the shovel to go flying, he did! Traveling the world and sitting on the deck reading were huge sources of enjoyment.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Amparo Carabba; his brother Ernest; sons, Stephen, John Peter, and Tom Carabba; and granddaughters, Bonnie and T. Traci Holt.

He is survived by his wife, Lielanie of 36 years; son, David and wife, Nancy of Indio, CA; son, Mark and wife, Jody of Mt Vernon, WA; daughter, Claudia and husband, Gary of Anacortes, WA; son, Tony and wife, Sheryl of Kennewick, WA; daughter, Mary of Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Laura Carabba of Burlington, WA; son, Scott and wife, Dana of Anacortes WA; daughter, Shamay and husband, Mark of Anacortes, WA; and grandchildren, Eric Carabba, Nathen Younkin, Sarah Bendigo, Erin Butler, Lisa Nichols, Jennifer Carabba, Megan Carabba, Bethany Carabba, Amy Carabba, Chris Zacher, Morgan Reynolds, Kayla Carabba, Colton Zacher, and Zachery, Cole and Jivon Andrich. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren, Rowin and Oona Carabba, Dakota and Traci Bendigo, Eva Zacher, Shaelyn Butler, Alias Sanchez, and Kamien Lopez; brothers and sisters, Vincent and wife, Virginia Carabba, Fred Phillips, Claudia and husband, Bob Hans, Marcella John, and Diane Cladek; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2009 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes, followed by Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed immediately by a celebration reception at the Father Auer Center. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Fern Hill Cemetery in Anacortes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Island Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1143, Anacortes, WA, 98221 or to St. Mary Catholic Church of Anacortes, 4001 St. Mary’s Drive, Anacortes, WA, 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of John, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com. S. A “John” Carabba went home to the Lord, with his family at his side on July 14, 2009.

He was born on November 25, 1925 in Pasadena, CA to Vincent and Amparo Carabba. John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served on the USS Oconto, performing many duties throughout the Philippines and Japan. His ship participated in the Navy flotilla near the USS Missouri during the signing of the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. John received the Philippine Liberation 1 Star Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. His biggest job was raising 10 kids but more on that later!

In 1947, fresh out of the Navy and new to Anacortes, John tried his hand at any job, from the Plywood mill, to cooking on fishing boats, to working the seafood cannery lines. In 1947 John opened the “Station”. For 38 years he operated Chevron Standard Oil station at 12th and Commercial, and then sold it to his son, David. John owned General Aviation, Skyline Air Service—where he started the first U.S. Mail run and passenger service to the San Juan Islands--and Cascade Air. Because of his passion for Community, he started Four Star Development Corporation and built the first airport in Anacortes, the Harbor House, many apartments and other buildings around town.

To get a pulse on Anacortes, John was involved in many clubs and organizations. For 44 years he was involved with Rotary of Anacortes and was considered a Senior Member. John was a Chartered Member of Anacortes Medical Foundation; he was on the Board of Directors of Catholic Community Services; he was a 50 year member of the Elks Club; and he was a Chartered Member in 1953 of the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. For 12 years John was Chairman of the Anacortes Planning Commission for the City of Anacortes. He also served on the Board at St. Mary Catholic Church, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the Board of Trustees for the Skyline Beach Club. John wore his AOPA (Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association) member wings proudly. His most recent induction into the exclusive QB’s (Quiet Birdsmen) left him re-energized about flying.

John’s years of hard work paid off. He was recognized over and over for his accomplishments. In 1982 he received the Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year Award” and “Citizenship Award”. He received the “Paul Harris Rotary Award” in 2002. Standard Oil recognized John many times over the years with “Excellence” Awards. He received a “Member of the Month” for St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus. In 2008 he was given the “Spirit of the Island” Award by Island Hospital Foundation. Just recently he was nominated by Paul Luvera and received the “Liberty Bell” Award for Skagit County.

John found lots of time to play and enjoy life. He was constantly recruiting partners for his Tuesday and Friday tennis league. Every sunny day, John was found gardening. But if there was any excuse to drop the shovel to go flying, he did! Traveling the world and sitting on the deck reading were huge sources of enjoyment.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Amparo Carabba; his brother Ernest; sons, Stephen, John Peter, and Tom Carabba; and granddaughters, Bonnie and T. Traci Holt.

He is survived by his wife, Lielanie of 36 years; son, David and wife, Nancy of Indio, CA; son, Mark and wife, Jody of Mt Vernon, WA; daughter, Claudia and husband, Gary of Anacortes, WA; son, Tony and wife, Sheryl of Kennewick, WA; daughter, Mary of Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Laura Carabba of Burlington, WA; son, Scott and wife, Dana of Anacortes WA; daughter, Shamay and husband, Mark of Anacortes, WA; and grandchildren, Eric Carabba, Nathen Younkin, Sarah Bendigo, Erin Butler, Lisa Nichols, Jennifer Carabba, Megan Carabba, Bethany Carabba, Amy Carabba, Chris Zacher, Morgan Reynolds, Kayla Carabba, Colton Zacher, and Zachery, Cole and Jivon Andrich. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren, Rowin and Oona Carabba, Dakota and Traci Bendigo, Eva Zacher, Shaelyn Butler, Alias Sanchez, and Kamien Lopez; brothers and sisters, Vincent and wife, Virginia Carabba, Fred Phillips, Claudia and husband, Bob Hans, Marcella John, and Diane Cladek; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2009 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes, followed by Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed immediately by a celebration reception at the Father Auer Center. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Fern Hill Cemetery in Anacortes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Island Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1143, Anacortes, WA, 98221 or to St. Mary Catholic Church of Anacortes, 4001 St. Mary’s Drive, Anacortes, WA, 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of John, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com