Walter Procopio

Walter Procopio, 79, Mesa, AZ, died Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital, Phoenix, AZ. Visitation was from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., Friday, June 26, at the Hanover Mortuary, Hanover. Funeral service was 10 a.m., Saturday at St. John's Catholic Church, Hanover. Father Joseph Kieffer officiated. Janet Fritschi was organist and the hymns were "Here I Am Lord," "Amazing Grace," “Precious Lord Take My Hand” and “Christ Be Our Light.” Pallbearers were Dominique Lecomte, Anthony Procopio Ross, Chastin Short, Eric Short, Ron Diederich and Mark Dunnigan. Honorary pallbearer was Jim Dunnigan. Burial was in the church cemetery. Walter was born on February 26, 1941 in Paterson, New Jersey to Samuel and Mary (Sehulster) Procopio. On October 28, 1960 he entered military service with the United States Army stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS. There he met Peggy Diederich of Barnes, Kansas and married the farmer’s daughter at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenleaf, KS April 21st, 1963. Walter worked as a mechanical engineer until his retirement, but his true passion was fresh and saltwater fishing. He is preceded in death by his parents and wife of 47 years, Peggy on June 2, 2010. He is survived by partner and best friend Gerry Steele of Mesa AZ; his daughters Lynnette Procopio of Kansas City, MO, Lisa Lecomte (Patrice) of Chandler AZ, Andrea Short (Eric) of Gilbert AZ; seven grandchildren, brother-in-law Ronald Diederich of Lenexa KS and many friends who are also left to mourn his death. Family requests supporting the lifesaving mission of finding cures for cancer and other life-threatening diseases through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Contributions are accepted at https://www.stjude.org/donate. Contributions may also be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Procopio, please visit our flower store.