Martin Chiavario, a devoted husband, loving father, and very silly grandfather, was called to eternal peace with the Lord at the age of 80 on April 8, 2024. A memorial service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held at the Collierville Funeral Home, 3863 Bailey Station Rd, Collierville, TN, on April 27, 2024, at 10:00 am. Afterward, a reception will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 507 New Byhalia Rd, Collierville, TN 38017.
Born in Los Angeles, California on October 22, 1943, Martin was a trailblazer in the family with an insatiable thirst for learning. He was the first to complete college (B.S. Business Management with Minors in Journalism and Finance), the first to earn a graduate degree (M.S. Information & Telecommunications Systems Management), the first to own a personal computer (Apple IIe), the first computer programmer (self-taught), the first to become a private pilot (740 hours single-engine Cessna), and the first to obtain his Realtor license, achieving the prestigious GRI designation. Alongside his many personal achievements, Martin channeled his passion for aviation and technology into a distinguished career spanning four decades with Continental Airlines and Federal Express. There, he caught rides to several countries spanning four continents—another family record. It was on one of his trips to Penang, Malaysia, where he met the love of his life, Annie! All these life experiences and his love for history fueled an endless array of stories filled with fun and adventure that sparked a sense of wonder, curiosity, and amazement in his children’s and grandchildren’s eyes.
Martin now entrusts the care of his cherished cats—Samuel Duncan, Seraphina, and Surianna—to his wife, as he reunites with his thirteen beloved kitties in heaven: Shadrack, Meshach, Abendigo, Smokey, Bandit, Snowball, Shiloh, Tabitha, Satin, Sassy, Sasha Sophia, Joshua, Faith, and Snowy Grace.
Martin leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 44 years, Annie Lee Chiavario; his children, Christopher Herbert Chiavario and his wife Aksana Vasilyeva, along with their son Atlas Sergei Chiavario; and Gabrielle Anne Chiavario-Hansbro and her husband Michael Hansbro, with their children Clark Martin Hansbro and Maggie Rosalee Hansbro. He is also survived by his younger sister, Azile Dee Chiavario-Davenport and her husband Chuck Davenport; plus his much-adored nieces and nephews. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice Gettie Bradley-Chiavario and Martin Antonio Chiavario, as well as his older sister, Cynthia Jane Chiavario.
Martin's pioneering spirit and lasting memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to live life with love, generosity, relentless curiosity, and a ticket punched for new adventures.
