Pancrazi, Robert Andrew
On Thursday, April 22, 2010 Robert "Bob" Andrew Pancrazi age 85 passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family. His death was a result of cancer diagnosed in December 2009.
Bob was born January 28, 1925 in Yuma and comes from a long time Yuma family. He was the great grandson of Jose Maria Redondo, an early Yuma pioneer. He attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from Yuma Union high school. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war at the age of 22, he returned home to join his father in the family insurance and real estate business, A.T. Pancrazi Agency. In 1951 he and Carolyn Byrd of Williams, AZ were married. The couple remained in Yuma and raised five children and eleven grandchildren.
Bob was an accomplished pilot and an avid golfer. He served on several boards including the Yuma County Airport Authority and was a founding member of the Yuma Golf and Country Club. He recently recounted his memory of being in the first foursome to tee off at the opening of the golf course in 1951. In 1952, Bob also played in the National Amateur Golf Tournament in Seattle, Washington. He always felt everyone would be a better person from the lessons learned by playing golf.
Bob was a parishioner of St. Francis and Immaculate Conception Catholic churches. Visitation will be at Funeraria Del Angel Funeral Home on Monday, April 26th from 5:00 # 7:00 pm followed by a rosary. A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 27th at 2:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church.
Bob is survived by: his wife Carolyn; his five children and their spouses: Doug and Pam Pancrazi of Yuma; Andrea and David Brehe of San Diego, California; Barbara and Theo Clement of Heemstede, Netherlands; Mark and Susan Pancrazi of Yuma; and Tom and Julie Pancrazi of Yuma; his eleven grandchildren: Lauren Pancrazi, Nathan Pancrazi, Michael Pancrazi, Rens Clement, Tess Clement, Nick Pancrazi, Chase Pancrazi, Luke Pancrazi, Colin Pancrazi, Clayton Pancrazi, and Coralie Pancrazi. Bob is also survived by thirteen nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, A.T. and Katie (Balsz) Pancrazi; his sisters Estelle Dingess and Josephine Beard; and his brother John Pancrazi and twin brother Ernie Pancrazi.
In lieu of lowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to:
Hospice of Yuma, AZ 1824 S. 8th Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364-5517 (928) 343-2222 www.hospiceofyuma.com
Yuma Catholic High School 2100 W. 28th Street Yuma, AZ 85364-6938 (928) 317-7900 www.yumacatholic.org
Or a charity of your choice.
Published in The Yuma Sun from April 25 to May 25, 2010