Family Histories: Feliz

November 6, 1995

Reverend Bryan W. sherry, J.C.L. church of the Assumption 221 E. 8th Street Florence, AZ 85232

Dear Father sherry:

As one member of the Feliz/Felix family, and on behalf of the Family, we gratefully acknowledge the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Assumption of Mary Parish. Although many family members were by boundary designation declared part of St. James Parish when it was established, the closeness and love of the Florence community has remained.

Our Grandfather, Jesus, an early settler in the Florence area, was an only child of Dolores Valenzuela. Jesus met Carmen Salazar in Sanford, better known as Adamsville. They married and had sons; Salvador, Pedro, Juan, and Manuel; daughters, Refugio (Duron), Carmen (Montano), and Encarnacion (Lopez). of this Family of sons and daughters, the only survivors is the youngest son, Manuel, who celebrated his 94th birthday November 1, 1995.

Decendants of "Pa Jesus", 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and some 6th generations, number several hundred. Many still reside in Florence, others are scattered throughout the country. A parish member, Frank Carminatti, was a close friend of "Pa Jesus", and frequently visited with him at the ranch. "Pa Jesus" and Frank "Chico", built and placed the wooden cross at the South end of the Florence Cemetery.

Grandmother Carmelita, whom we were fortunate to know and enjoy for many years, died inside the Church of the Assumption during Christmas mass in 1949 as the sermon was being given by Padre Domingo Jacques.

Our Family has been privileged to have been a significant part of the Assumption Parish community and to have been blessed with its many sacraments.

FELIZ ANIVERSARIO!

Yours in Christ,

John C. Felix