MATTAROCCHIS, SR., Thomas Lester "Tom"

Thomas Lester "Tom" Mattarocchia Sr., 89 of Salida, died Jan. 15, 2007, in Salida. He was born Aug. 19, 1917, in Lynn, Mass., to Carl and Bridget (Burke) Mattarocchia. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He retired as a master sergeant in 1965. Mr. Mattarocchia moved to Florence in 1993 and then to Salida. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3820 in Salida, a Pearl Harbor survivor, the American Legion and the Democratic party. He married Judy Jackson Feb. 19, 1993, in Rockvale. Survivors are his wife; children, Thomas L. (Margaret) Mattarocchia Jr. of Pahrump, Nev.; Charles D. Mattarocchia of Raymond, Calif.; stepchildren, Eugene (Tami) Jackson of Florence, Cecil Cameron of Florence, Brian (Barbara) Cameron of Williamsburg, Robert (Veronica) Toler of Highlands, Ill., Randy (Domoni) Toler of Pueblo West and Cathi Toler of Salida; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and a brother, Carl Mattarocchia of Pebley, Mass. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Jean, and a brother. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 19, 2007, at Wilson Memorial Chapel in Cañon City with The Rev. Hal Simmons officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Cañon City. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1280 S. Parker Road, Denver, 80231. Wilson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. The Mountain Mail