Arthur Albert Chapa

Memorial services were held today at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Avenue in memory of former Arizona Board of Regents member Arthur Albert Chapa, who passed away on November 19, at age 69, from H. pylori-induced cancer.

Chapa was well known in Democratic political circles, “raising money for Democratic candidates, serving as a staffer for Congressman Morris K. Udall (1978-81), and serving on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ transition team in 2006. He was the state director of President Bill Clinton’s 1996 re-election bid.” (from Az Daily Star article on November 23).

He served on the Arizona Board of Regents for 8 years (1990 to 1998), according to his friend former Gubernatorial candidate Eddie Basha, who spoke today at his service. Both Basha and another friend former State Senator George Cunningham referred to Chapa as their “brother/hermano”. He graduated from George Washington University Law School, and also worked as a lobbyist for Pima County.

Basha said that Chapa “spoke against discrimination” and worked towards increasing in-state minority enrollment at ASU’s Law School, and wanted the best “quality of life experience for all the students.”

Bishop Gerald Kicanas (who officiated today) spoke of Chapa as a man whose “life was well lived, given in service to others”. He said that “some make a difference” in life and that Chapa was one of those who did, as he “wanted the best for his community, because he always wanted more not less” for Tucson.

Art Chapa is survived by his wife Lynette, three children, three grandchildren.

Numerous politicians, City and County officials were present today at this memorial service, including all five Pima County Supervisors (Ramon Valadez, Sharon Bronson, Ray Carroll, Richard Elias, Ann Day), County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry, UA President Robert Shelton.

The Chapa family has established a fund in his name to increase awareness of H. pylori-induced cancer, and contributions can be sent to the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, 85724. Remembrances can be posted at www.MeM.com.

From Kino Heritage Society website:

Kino Mission Concert Series

artwork of Padre Kino, from their website

Mission San Agustin

“Christmas in the Southwest” and “Misa Criolla” by Ariel Ramirez

Tucson Masterworks Chorale

Christopher B. Thomas, Guest Director

Date: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: St. Augustine’s Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona

General: $15, Seniors/students $12, children free if accompanied by an adult.

Notes: Concert commemorating Padre Kino’s Tucson Entrada in November 1692 and the founding of the Mission San. Agustin. Read about Padre Kino’s first journey to Tucson in a featured article by Kino Heritage Society’s Secretary Raul E. Ramirez at Kino Legacy (click here).

For more information on the concert: Tucson Masterworks Chorale, Phone: (520)730-5640 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (520)730-5640      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
“The concert will begin with Mexican baroque, the likely music that Padre Kino heard when he first arrived in Mexico City. It will move on to include music set to Pima Indian texts, since Padre Kino worked closely with the Native Americans. A beautiful collection of “Carols and Lullabies – Christmas in the Southwest”, accompanied by harp, guitar, and marimba, will close the first half of the concert. The second half will be devoted to the exciting work, Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez.”

Reception to follow at San Augustine Cathedral Parish Hall.

My prevous blog on the Kino lecture & other events leadng up to the 300th anniversary of Padre Kino’s death in 2011 (click here.)

St. Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson

Wonderful multi-cultural, religious, birthday celebration at St. Augustine’s Cathedral downtown (192 S. Stone) last night, despite some monsoon rains. Photos courtesy of Tucson’s Birthday photographer Jon Scanlon.

Halau Hula O Ualani, The Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, Los Changuitos Feos performed. And St. Augustine birthday cakes were enjoyed by all at the end of the fiesta.

St. Augustine cathedral & fiesta banner

people enjoying the fiesta

hula dancer performing on stage from Halau Hula O Ualani

more hula dancers performing

Maguire Irish dancers performing

lovely dancer from Maguire Academy of Irish Dance

Ballet Folklorico Tapatio performers

Ballet Folklorico Tapatio on the new beautiful flower stage

Bishop Gerald Kicanas at the Mass inside the Cathedral

St. Augustine's statue

Los Changuitos Feos leading the procession after Mass

Los Changuitos Feos in the Cathedral

Happy Birthday St. Augustine cake

Feliz Cumpleanos San Agustin cake

More photos online at Tucson’s Birthday website, www.tucsonsbirthday.org.