Vincent Salvadore "Sonny" Lovoi

Vincent Salvadore “Sonny” Lovoi, 85, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on February 25, 2014. Sonny was born in Fort Smith Arkansas on November 20, 1928. He attended St. Anne’s Academy in Fort Smith and graduated in 1946. Following high school, he entered the United States Marine Corps and proudly served until he enrolled in the University of Arkansas in 1949. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He then worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 50 years starting with Century Geophysical. One of his early assignments with Century was in Calgary Alberta, Canada where he met the love of his life, Alexandra Elizabeth “Sandra” McManus. Sandra was the oldest daughter of Ivan and Margaret McManus. Sandra and Sonny dated for a few years and married on October 4, 1958, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Shortly after they married, the couple moved back to the United States with Sonny working throughout the Gulf Coast for the next decade. It was during this time that their six children were born in Lafayette, LA, New Orleans, LA, Corpus Christi, TX and Houston, TX. While with Tenneco Oil, Sonny was promoted to Chief Geophysicist of the Canadian region and moved the family to Sandra’s hometown of Calgary in 1968. The family lived in Canada until the middle of 1974 when Sonny decided to form Lovoi Resources and move back to Houston. Sonny had a true zest for life. He loved hunting and fishing, watching sports and playing cards. He was always up for a party, especially if he could cook or entertain. Sonny was the most happy when he was around his friends and his family. While he loved to have fun, his main priority in life was his faith. Starting in 1974, he was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church serving in numerous capacities. He was a Eucharistic Minister, counted the weekly collection, was a member of the Parish Council and served as President of the Men’s Club. He was a tireless worker for the church’s various fund raising activities and probably best known for his work in the kitchen and his participation in a number of church plays. Sonny played an important role in bringing in the Journey to Damascus to Houston. The Journey is an ecumenical and spiritual retreat and has changed the lives of hundreds of people. He was instrumental in recruiting the Journey’s first Spiritual Director, Father Carl Tenhundfeld. They became very close friends. He was a faithful member of the Northwest Serra Club. Sonny also possessed a strong sense of community. He was elected as Harris County Republican Party Precinct Chairman for his district and served as a Precinct Judge for several years. Sonny is survived by his loving wife Sandra and their six children: Michael Stephen Lovoi and his wife, Catherine; John Vincent Lovoi and his wife, Megan; Paul Andrew Lovoi and his wife, Monica; Anne-Marie Lovoi Pierce and her husband, Sandy; Marilyn Lovoi Hoskins and her husband Brett; and Thomas McManus Lovoi and his wife, Lisa. “Poppy” was also survived and adored by his nineteen grandchildren; Michael Stephen Lovoi, Jr; Mia Catherine Lovoi; Mary Margaret Lovoi; John Vincent Lovoi, Jr; Joseph Woods Lovoi; Olivia Grace Lovoi; Blair Nicole Lovoi; William Thompson Lovoi; Margo Carrere Lovoi; Luke McManus Lovoi; Jake Andrew Lovoi; Samuel O’Neil Pierce; Claire Elizabeth Pierce; Benjamin Thomas Pierce; Alexandra Leigh Hoskins; Hannah Marie Hoskins; Mallory Rae Hoskins; Kate Elizabeth Lovoi; and Jack McManus Lovoi. Sonny was also survived by his sisters, Mary Ann McMahon and her husband, David of Fort Smith Arkansas, Dolores Moellers and her husband, Bob of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Augustine (Teter) Lovoi, of Fort Smith, Arkansas and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sarino and Ouida Lovoi of Fort Smith, Arkansas, his sister Antoinette Lovoi Hindman and her husband Fred Hindman of Fort Smith, Arkansas, his brother, Paul Lovoi and his wife, Gertrude Lovoi, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and his brother Salvadore of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Lovoi family will be present to receive friends Thursday, February 27th from 5 to 8 PM with a Vigil Service beginning at 7PM at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A Funeral Mass celebrating Sonny’s life will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079, on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 10:30 am. A reception will follow mass on the church grounds. A private committal service will take place at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Vincent Salvadore "Sonny" Lovoi

November 20, 1928 - February 25, 2014