Robert Navarra Obituary

Navarra, Robert Salvatore 'Sal' 87 02/10/1922 02/07/2010 Sal Navarra passed away Feb. 7, 2010. Born in Portland, Feb. 10, 1922, he was the second son of Charles and Theresa Navarra, both Sicilian immigrants to the United States. He had an older brother, James, and younger sister, Marie. Sal was a lifelong resident of Southeast Portland. There he learned the values of faith in God, hard work and love of family and country. With the skills he learned at Benson High School, he was the consummate handyman who knew the value of a dollar. If it was broken, he would fix it. His frugal ways led to financial independence which was a point of personal pride and a lesson learned for his family. He was the strong, silent type. Your word and a handshake were good enough for Sal. In Portland he made a living as a produce dealer like his father and later, a metal fabricator. In 1946 he married Mary Jane Palermini after he returned from working at the naval shipyards in Hawaii. They raised two children, Randy and Lynne. Dancing, trips to their beach house and Hawaii were occasions of good times together. Sal loved all things Italian, especially a big garden that produced many varieties of Italian squash and figs which he shared with family, friends and a few birds. He was a big fan of the Blazers and Seinfeld. Sal was a member of St. Philip Neri parish for 87 years where, in better times, he was an usher and sang in the choir. Dad lived the simple life. The good life. We have the memories. Sal is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jane; son, Randy (Danielle); daughter, Lynne Shaner; granddaughters, Krista (Jim), Gina and Alissa; grandson, Brady (Scotti); six great-grandchildren; sister, Marie Thompson-Waller (Roy) of Torrance, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Sheila Garcia-Alvarez, Dad's caregiver and buddy, for her outstanding dedication to his care. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, in St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 2408 S.E. 16th Ave., Portland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oregon Food Bank. Riverview Abbey Funeral Home, directors.