Maurice Joseph Saroni

Maurice Joseph Saroni of Tucson, Arizona, passed away at home on October 25, 2024, at the age of 86. Maurice was born on October 2, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, and his family moved to Tucson when he was four. He graduated from Tucson Senior High in 1957 where he played the sousaphone in the marching band and was a member of the wrestling team. Maurice graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

He is a retired Continental Airlines Inc. pilot having flown the Boeing 707, 720B, 707-320C, 727, 747, 757 series aircraft, and the McDonnell-Douglas DC10-10 and DC10-30. Maurice was also a retired US Air Force Colonel with 20 years flying F-100’s with the Arizona Air National Guard, 8 years as a USAF Academy Liaison Officer, and 7 years with the USAF Reserves. He retired with over 40 years of military service.

While his children were young, Maurice was active with his family in St. Odilia Catholic Church, the local swim team, and scouting. He was a leader and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 211 for several decades leading groups of scouts on numerous campouts, on backpacking trips and to several Jamborees. Maurice has backpacked over 1,000 miles in the Grand Canyon, Gila Wilderness, John Muir Trail, and canoed in the boundary waters of Canada. He has also summited Mt. Rainer, summited Mt Denali, and climbed to the base camp of Mt Everest. Other hobbies included bicycling, woodworking, and philately.

In 1990, Maurice married Sonja Georgeanna Meeks-Adair. They purchased a vacation home in Red Lodge, Montana, and enjoyed their time there even hosting a family Christmas. After Maurice retired from Continental, they founded Georgeanna Corporation and opened A Handyman’s Haven. Over the next 25 years the business found its niche as a home improvement outlet specializing in cabinets and kitchen design. Maurice was active in Rotary, Rotary International, Rotary Youth Organizations, Tucson Association of Executives, and other local community groups.

Maurice is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sonja Saroni, son Vincent Saroni (Betsy), daughter Theresa Rodriguez (Maurice), son Donald Adair (Rhonda), son Dominic Saroni (Lauri), son Vianney Saroni (Michelle), 18 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated. http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/Saroni

Service Arrangements:

Wednesday, Nov 6th,

5p-7p Viewing and Vigil

St Odilia Catholic Church

5p Viewing; 6p Vigil

Thursday, Nov 7th

10:30am Funeral Mass

St. Odilia Catholic Church

12:00pm Committal with full military honors at cemetery

Holy Hope Cemetery