This page honors the memory of members of the peace, social justice, environmental justice, and labor movements who have recently died.
Alice Ritter ¡Presente!
From Felice Cohen-Joppa’s Facebook page on April 8:
Alice Ritter, Presente!
My friend Alice, an Air Force veteran, long-time peace activist and member of Veterans for Peace Jon Miles Chapter 13 here in Tucson, died this morning. Alice and her wife Cara attended peace, justice and anti-nuclear protests, peace vigils and many other events together. I always loved seeing which matching Veterans for Peace t-shirts they were wearing! Alice always greeted me with a hug and a smile, just as she did when Jack and I visited her in hospice last week. We will miss her, and her life and beautiful heart will continue to inspire us.
(photo taken outside Raytheon in Tucson – most of the time she held a Veterans for Peace banner at the vigils).
From William Peterson’s Facebook page on April 8:
Alice Ritter, wife of Cara Bissell passed away this morning. I’m completely numb right now. Alice was a legendary member of VFP John Miles Chapter 13 Tucson. Just like Bob Phillips and John Miles, the loss of Alice leaves a huge hole in my heart and the Chapter. I was at my relatives’ house in Washington a few years back and I called the contact number for Chapter 13 and Alice Ritter picked up the phone. Over the years myself along with Cara and other Chapter members participated in so many events, vigils, conventions and protests. She was a fearless advocate for Veterans For Peace and I’ll forever cherish the memory of all those awesome times. Alice was a 22-year Air Force veteran. I honor her service to her country today. One thing that Alice, myself and Cara did when we were finished with vigils ext. was a group hug. I want to give Cara a group hug today. Now is the time to surround Cara with all the love and support we can. I’ll forever love Alice and will cherish her memory. I wrote this poem this morning in honor of Alice.
RIGHT HAND ANGEL
Closed my eyes
For a moment today
It was my right hand angel
Coming to say
Hello from heaven
As well as on earth
You were always beside me
Guiding my way
My right hand angel
My right hand angel
Always faithful and loving
Kind and caring
Steady and true
I’ll forever miss you
With eternal love for
My right hand angel
My right hand angel
Closed my eyes
For a moment today
It was my right hand angel
Coming to say
Hello from heaven
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Father Ricardo Elford ¡Presente!
Father Ricardo Elford died on September 19, 2023.
Read a tribute to him by Rev. Jim Burklo on the United Methodist Insight page:
I would like to introduce you to a cherished friend of mine: Father Ricardo Elford.
Since 1967, Ricardo, a Redemptorist priest, has been serving migrants and native Americans on both sides of the border between Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. He is now 85 years old, living at the Redemptorist Renewal Center outside of Tucson, and still at work, managing Clinica Amistad, a medical clinic in the barrio staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and practitioners serving people without insurance – most of them undocumented migrants. Read More
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Peacemaker Jon Miles — 1941-2022 — ¡Presente!
by Joe Bernick, February 22, 2022
Our comrade Jon Miles passed away yesterday after a long bout with cancer.
Jon was a community hero and Tucson’s most beloved activist. A Vietnam veteran turned peace activist, a proud member of the United Steelworkers, an advocate for migrants, homeless, the marginalized and everybody else who needed support and solidarity.
Jon was a longtime member of the Communist Party USA and served for more than three decades as Treasurer for the Arizona Communist Party. Jon led Tucson’s chapter of Veterans for Peace for over a decade. He worked tirelessly with the Derechos Humanos Coalition, the Tucson Coalition for the Homeless in the 1980s and Casa Maria since. Jon was one of the main activists with the anti-Apartheid struggle, a supporter of self-determination for the Palestinian people, and more than anything, a devotion to solidarity with the people of Latin America. And this is only a partial list. He never missed a meeting, until last night.
Jon was also a great father and grandfather. And he was another rare thing – a Communist public official, appointed to a County commission. The County named a meeting room in the County Housing office after Jon. I sure miss him, already.
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A Celebration of Jon’s Life took place on March 12th.
Chuck Kaufman, ¡Presente!
Chuck Kaufman, National Co-Coordinator and one of the founders of Alliance for Global Justice passed peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in his Tucson, Arizona home after a brief illness. Go to the Alliance for Global Justice website for more.
Michael Gordy ¡Presente!
by Jenise Porter for Tucson PDA
Michael Gordy was a force of nature. He arrived at events on his bicycle, saddlebags full of pamphlets, flyers announcing events, an extra shirt to change into and a smile-always a big smile.
He was often among the first to arrive-to set up the PDA canopy, carry chairs and tables-and often the last to leave after taking down those chairs and tables. He was a stalwart progressive, a member of the Progressive Democrats of America-Tucson chapter steering committee and an activist in environmental causes.
Senator Raul Grijalva had this to say about Michael: “He was an environmental activist, fought for social justice, and believed in fairness for all people. Michael will be missed by many, but his vision and strong convictions are an example to all of us of a productive and meaningful life. He was a tireless volunteer who could always be counted on to show up.”
Michael was a Bernie delegate in 2016, arriving in Philadelphia with a suitcase full of the message tee-shirts we were used to seeing him wear. State Senator Victoria Steele shared these thoughts about Michael: “He was a devoted teacher and Democratic Party activist. Michael was so full of love for others and passionate about helping the underdog. He put up my campaign signs in 100-degree heat, he would ride his bike to nearly all of my events and offer to give me his sweaty wet t-shirt. No matter what, he could always make me laugh. He threw his whole life into his friends. We watched as he fell in love with the beautiful Bridget Stoll and our hearts melted as we celebrated their wedding. Michael overcame so much in life and gave all to his community. What a tremendous loss. People like Michael are rare and precious. I can’t believe he is gone. My heart aches for Bridget.”
Victoria reminded me also that Michael was a true, proud feminist and would love that she said that. In 2013, I was at opening day of the state legislature in a large group that included Michael. We were all wearing shirts that Paula Aboud had provided that said “When Women Vote, We All Win.” Michael told me that Paula said he was the best feminist she knew. He was certainly proud to wear his shirt that said “This is what a Feminist looks like.”
I think that Michael’s progressive activism was part and parcel of his passion as an educator, a classroom teacher and president of the Tucson Education Association, and a fierce pride in his AA mentorship. I can’t think of an instance where Michael put himself first.
We miss you Michael, rest in peace.
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Michael was a member of the Tucson Peace Center’s Community Board.
You can also read an article about Michael that appeared in the Arizona Daily Star.