John & Oonagh Boppart

PARADISE VALLEY – It is with great sorrow we share that John Boppart Jr., 93, and Oonagh Boppart, 85, passed away on August 28, 2023.

John was born in Kansas City, MO to parents Louise and John Boppart. He attended CalTech where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering. His career began as a design engineer at AiResearch Manufacturing Company, from where he retired 40 years later as the President of the Garrett Auxiliary Power division of Allied-Signal Aerospace. John served on the boards of several Arts & Culture institutions, including the Phoenix Art Museum and the Arizona Science Center. He served as a docent at the Phoenix Art Museum for more than 25 years. In 2015, he began volunteering at the Desert Botanical Garden in the herbarium. The DBG was significant to John because his parents were enamored with the facility. John was inspired by the natural beauty of the world which led to his joy of biking, hiking, photography, sailing, and designing and building furniture. Though he was a very accomplished man, he was extremely humble and never sought recognition for the contributions he made.

Oonagh was born in London, England to parents Mary and John Magill. She received a Bachelor’s in Music and Master’s in Education from Coventry College. She moved to the United States in 1965 and worked as an Educator and Director of Preschools for special needs children for 25 years. She spent many years as a CASA representing the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. She also served on the Board and as Board President of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), helping to raise funds for scholarships in the Natural Sciences. Oonagh volunteered at the Desert Botanical Garden for many years, serving on the Board, and as Board President and leading several fundraising campaigns. Oonagh achieved her vision of strengthening the Arizona Arts Community by bringing principal leaders together to collaborate in innovative and creative ways.

John and Oonagh were married in 1979. They were life-long learners; their curiosity and diverse interests led them to travel extensively and interact with different cultures, music, and art. Their combined passion for arts, culture, education, and the sciences inspired them to support numerous organizations throughout the state. Their impact will be felt for generations to come.

Their dedication to their community work was exceeded only by their profound love for each other and their family. They were each other’s best friend. Their commitment to one another and their philanthropy are testaments to their unshakeable faith in the human spirit, their devotion to the Valley, and a belief that family and the arts make life worth living.

John and Oonagh meant the world to, and are survived by, their children Paul Boppart, Julia Sykes Hevelone, Adrian Paul Sykes, Marti Boppart Heck and husband Richard, Karina Helen Sykes Matsuura and husband David, and Tricia Sykes; grandchildren Daniel Sykes and wife Shelby, Catrina Boppart Ulery and husband Tyler, Haley Boppart and partner JT Howard, Aaron Matsuura, Curtis Matsuura; and their three adored great grandchildren Theodore, Lincoln and Annabelle. They were predeceased by grandson Alex Sykes.

To celebrate the lives of beloved John and Oonagh, a service will take place at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 6 p.m. on the Boppart Courtyard.

To honor the memory of John and Oonagh, the family suggests donations to the Desert Botanical Garden towards the completion of the Hazel Hare Center for Plant Science.