Remembering Robert Martin Calfee III

Robert Martin Calfee III, a fierce competitor, lost the obituary game on July 23, 2024. Martin passed away surrounded by his family in his home in Phoenix, Arizona.

He was born on April 2, 1937, to proud parents Robert Martin Calfee Jr. and Elizabeth Tinker Chatfield Calfee in Coral Gables, Florida. Martin’s life journey was marked by resilience, hard work, humor, and a passion for sports, business, and philanthropy. He was a remarkable individual with an unwavering commitment to family and community.

Married to Margaret Mary Tiffany (Monnie) for 60 years, Martin was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by Monnie, his sister Sarah Calfee Morse (Peter), and five daughters who adored him – Elizabeth Chatfield Licosati (David), Virginia Tiffany Linsalata (Mark), Sarah Jane Shannon (John), Robin Martin LeFevre (Greg), Cinco Calfee Sorrow (Chris) – and nine cherished grandchildren – Margaret Chatfield Licosati, Gennaro Martin Licosati, Anthony David Licosati, Thomas Owen LeFevre, Sullivan Martin Shannon, Isabel Virginia Licosati, Sarah Ruth LeFevre, Elizabeth Tinker Shannon and Virginia Tyler Sorrow.

Martin’s legacy is one of hard work, community engagement, and a commitment to complete everything he started. His impact on the lives he touched will be remembered for generations to come. As we bid farewell to this remarkable man, we celebrate a life well-lived and honor the wisdom he bestowed upon us daily and the indelible mark he left on our hearts. He blessed our days with limericks, laughter, and love. He taught us all to give everything we ever tried 110%.

Martin and his sister Sarah were raised in Aurora, Ohio, with deep family roots in Cleveland. Martin lost his father at a very young age and the extended Calfee family played a significant role in his life. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1955 in which his highest grade was in PE. Copies of his high school report card were used as place mats in the family home. Martin attended Kent State for six weeks prior to proudly serving in the United States Army. He was an avid collector of Harley Davidson t-shirts, loose change, and newspaper rubber bands. His hobbies included washing cars and mowing the grass with a cigar and Black Cherry White Claws. He loved day-old coffee, raw hamburger meat, and sunbathing slathered in Baby Oil.

For more than 50 years Martin was a pillar of the Phoenix business community. He founded Copper State Bolt & Nut Co. in 1972, now with more than 600 employees that he considered family. He has been active in local philanthropy as part of The Thunderbirds and in support of Arizona State University and St. Francis Catholic School. He has always been recognizable at Cardinal and Sun Devil games in his big maroon bus or serving Thunder Dogs at the Phoenix Open.

Martin would say that he had lived the American dream. His impact and legacy on his family, his community, and all of those he knew and worked with will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona.

SFX Elementary School
4715 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012