Bert Milford Babb

Bert Milford "Mil" Babb Jr., 86, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016, in Scottsdale, AZ. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, an only child to Bert Sr. and Elsie Babb. He moved to Phoenix in 1945, and graduated from St. Mary's High School. Mil attended Phoenix College and joined the National Guard Armory marching band. He played sousaphone. In 1949, Mil married Mary Anne Legge, also from St. Mary's. Following their honeymoon, Mil and Mary Anne moved to San Jose, California, where Mil attended Santa Clara University, graduating with a degree in finance. They moved back to Phoenix with two children, Karen and Ken, and Mil went to work at Garret AiResearch, aerospace manufacturing company, launching a 34-year career in accounting. Mil retired from Garret (now Honeywell) as controller. In retirement, Mil managed finances for St. Vincent de Paul, and was a worldwide traveler. His hobbies/interests were music, golf, ballroom dancing, camping, woodcraft, electronics and travel. Bert was active in his church communities of St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Theresa and the Cursillo Movement. Bert is preceded in death by his wife Mary Anne Babb and his grandson Byron Babb. He is survived by his children, Karen Babb, Ken Babb, Lynda Babb Crone, Tom Babb, grandchildren, Tara Dunlop, Grant Crone great-grandchildren: Belle Hartmetz, Sam, Jack, Scarlett and Mathew Dunlop and Carter Crone. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Dorothy Schmidt. Visitation will be 5:30-8:00 pm, Monday, May 9, 2016 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85018. A light buffet will be provided. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7655 East Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Hospice of Arizona, (602) 678-1313 or St. Vincent de Paul (602) 261-6814. Arizona Republic, 5/8/2016