John Palleva

John H. “Jack” Palleva was born Dec. 14, 1942 in Chicago, Ill. to Dorothy and John Palleva. Jack fought a courageous battle with cancer and passed away Jan. 11, 2014 at Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, his brother and his best friend at his bedside.

Jack is survived by his brothers, Tom and Bill, a sister-in-law, Claudia, and his beloved nephew, Kelsey, and niece, Paige.

After graduation from Morton East High School in Cicero, Ill., Jack enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he proudly served until 1963.

After leaving the Marines he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. Graduating from the Illinois State Police Academy 1965, he worked as a State Trooper until 1970.

Moving to California, he entered the California Highway Patrol Academy, where he graduated with honors. Not only did he patrol California highways for 12 years, he enjoyed his hobby of patrolling California deserts in the dune buggies and Baja Bugs that he built in his garage in Escondido, Calif.

Joining the workforce once again he studied electronics and joined Amistar Corporation in Vista, Calif. Jack built and serviced electronic manufacturing equipment for the next 15 years.

Upon retiring for a second time, Jack moved to Fountain Hills where he enjoyed golf, collaborating on construction projects with long-time friend Bob Putnam and being an active member of American Legion Post 58.

Funeral services will be held at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. A celebration of Jack’s life will take place at the American Legion Post 58, Fountain Hills.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), an organization Jack was passionate about supporting.