David Nicholas Ciani Sr.

David was born in Citrus Heights, California to Hugina and Nicholas Ciani, and a graduate of Sacramento High School. His Army service (Artillery Unit) began in 1958, and Army Corps Reserves service until 1964. David retired from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office as Cook II. His food preparation experience in the Army Reserves, and with the sheriff's office, made him our top-notch family chef. When Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978 he authorized the appointments of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, David was appointed to this position at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in El Centro, CA. In 2010 David earned 4th Degree Status in the Knights of Columbus, Assembly #1805, Phoenix, Arizona. For the last decade or so David was a devoted participant in Eucharistic Adoration at his parish.

David met Norma, they fell in love and were married; they were married for nearly 52 years. Together, David and Norma lovingly raised 4 children. They gratefully and happily celebrated their 25th and 50th Wedding Anniversaries by renewing their marital vows with church blessings followed by lively celebrations surrounded by family and friends. He was a devout Catholic and because of his deep faith and love for Jesus, his vocation for over 50 years, was to create rosaries. Rosaries are a sequence of beads, separated into five decades, on which the Gospel is prayed and meditated upon. It is not exactly known how many rosaries David made; a good guess is around 10,000. All of his rosaries have been blessed and many have been distributed throughout the world.

His entire life David was an upstanding and patriotic citizen, and possessed a great fervor for American history, especially history about the Western Frontier.

Upon learning of David's passing, one of his dear nieces provided a most precise description of David:

"A man who walked in paths of righteousness, a wise and patient man, a great husband, a great father and a great uncle, a lover of God, that was him.

He is and will continue to be a great example for all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.

We bless his life on earth and we rejoice knowing that today he enjoys the sublime Presence of God."

It is without a doubt that anybody who knew David would concur with that statement. He was an exceptional human being, the best husband and father anyone could ask for; he is sorely missed and forever loved.

+ Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. +

David is survived by: his loving wife Norma; daughters Diana Ciani-Cebuhar and Norma Castro (Patrick Sr.); daughter-in-law Maria Ciani; grandchildren Tanner Cebuhar (Amy), Jessica Cebuhar-Atwell (Brian), Alissa Castro, Patrick Castro Jr., and Matthew Ciani; seven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Yolanda and Alejandro Cruz; sister Nora Cole; and many nephews and nieces.

David was preceded in death by his parents Hugina and Nicholas, siblings Robert Ciani, John Ciani and Teresa Riolo; sons David Ciani Jr. and Raymond Ciani, son-in-law Chris Cebuhar; brother-in-law Eleazar Dojaque and sister-in-law Alejandrina Dojaque.

Services: Monday, February 14, 2022

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church

3801 E. Greenway Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85032

9:00 a.m. Viewing, followed by a Rosary.

11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass

12:00 p.m. Luncheon in Church Hall

2:00 p.m. Interment with Military Honors

Phoenix Memorial Park

200 W. Beardsley Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85027