Joseph Allen Tavelli

Joseph Allen Tavelli, 87, died peacefully at Alderwood Park Nursing Home in Bellingham Jan. 12, 2004.

Al was born in Feb. 5, 1916, in Williamstown, Mass., to Joseph and Marion Tavelli. He spent his childhood in Redlands, Calif., where he graduated from high school. He attended the University of Redlands and various other universities, including the Colorado School of Mines, earning a degree in mining engineering. During World War II, Al joined the Army Air Corps and served in China as a weather forecaster. After the war, he worked in Panama, surveying for a second bore of the Panama Canal. While home from Panama visiting relatives in Bishop, Calif., he met and later married Norma Gunter June 24, 1950.

Norma and Al moved to Grand Junction, Colo., where they raised their three children. In 1968, the family moved to Denver, where they lived until the mid-1970s. With the children grown, Norma and Al moved to Dallas, Texas, where they lived until Al retired. They selected the Pacific Northwest for their retirement location, and in 1980 moved to Whidbey Island, where they lived until shortly before Al’s passing.

Al’s professional career spanned a variety of specialties in the field of mining engineering, including work for the Atomic Energy Commission and Union Carbide in uranium exploration, and Sun Oil Company in coal exploration, from which he retired in 1980.

During his active life, Al was passionate about flying, having owned several private airplanes. He spent countless time flying to destinations all over the western United States and Canada for business and pleasure. A favorite family getaway was Lake Powell in southern Utah, where the family spent most summer weekends for many years, boating and hiking the canyons.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Norma, just two months earlier, and is survived by his three sons: Mark of Anchorage, Alaska, Terrence of Bellingham and Sanford (wife Sarah) of Southwick, Mass. Four grandchildren also survive him.

Funeral Services for both Norma and Al were held Friday, Jan.23, 2004, at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, Attn: Grants & Contributions, 1236 Ginger Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456, or go to www.alzheimers-research.org/donation.html.

Jones-Moles Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.