Salvatore Xavier Xifo

Salvatore Xavier Xifo passed away peacefully on May 26, 2013. Sal was born in Manhattan, New York 92 years ago. After graduating in 1941 from NYU in Aeronautical Engineering he began his engineering career with the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore MD. He completed Naval Officer Training in 1943 as an ensign, commissioned to the USS Columbus, Baltimore-classheavy cruiser joining the Pacific Fleet. After the War he resumed his engineering career in Maryland where he met and married his late wife, Lindsay and began their family. They moved to California where Sal had accepted a position with Northrop Corporation as an inflight test engineer for the F-89 Scorpion fighter. During his 40 years with Northrop Sal was involved in many projects beginning with the F-89, Snarkinte rcontinental cruise missile, F-5 Freedom Fighter, T-38 Talon, 747, Tacit Blue, B2 Stealth Bomber and the YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter. After retirement Sal and his wife, Virginia moved from Palos Verdes Estates to Carmel California. A Dodger fan, sports fan, handball player and an avid golfer Sal was a charter member of the Los Verdes Men's Golf & Country Club and continued to enjoy the game at his home in Carmel Valley Ranch.
He is preceded in death by his late wife, Lindsay, survived by his wife of 40 years, Virginia; his children, George Xifo (Kristy), Peter Xifo, Mary Margaret Rankin (Greg), Gina Webber (John), Michael Xifo (Cindy); two step daughters, Celeste Morningstar (Joe) and Catherine Weir (John), fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A celebration mass of Sal's life will be held Thursday, June 6th at Saint John Fisher Catholic Church, 5446 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes at 1100 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sal's memory are requested to the Carmelite Sisters by-the-Sea; Carmelite Monastery 27601 Highway 1, Carmel, CA 93923.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275