Ernest T. Matachia

Ernest T. Matacia



After a long and fruitful life, Ernest passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 4, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ernest, who preferred to be called Ernie, was born in Charlottesville, into a large Italian family, that included nine brothers and one sister.

After attending the University of Virginia, Ernie joined his father and brothers briefly in the family business, The Matacia Fruit Company, which was located on 2nd Street, South East, in Charlottesville. However, his thirst for travel and adventure led Ernie to join the Army Air Force in 1939. He successfully rose to rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was honorably discharged in May 1973.

During WW II, Ernie was stationed for a period of time at the Air Base in Greenwood, Mississippi, where he supervised 110 civilian employees, 25 enlisted personnel and three officers. It was during his station in Greenwood, that he met his future wife, Adele Antoon.

Adele was a woman of extreme beauty and southern charm and the two were married June 1, 1947. Shortly thereafter, Ernest returned to Charlottesville with his bride and went back to work with his brothers at The Matacia Fruit Company. But the Matacia family dynamics proved too challenging so in the mid-1960s Ernie left the Fruit Company and joined the Charlottesville Public School System as a CPA and remained there until his retirement in 1985.

In 1986, Ernie lost his wife, Adele, to cancer.

In 1987, Ernie moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to enjoy his retirement years and to be closer to his son, Stephen. He loved being part of Stephen's life and the climate in Arizona suited him well. Stephen and Ernie traveled frequently together and spent their free time playing tennis and golf. Ernie was an avid reader and a keen crossword puzzle solver. He loved to walk in the desert sun and was devout Catholic.

He will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his warm smile, his wry sense of humor, and his southern gentleman demeanor.

Those of us who knew and loved Ernie consider his passing an overdue blessing and we will grieve for the gentle soul we have lost.

He will be missed deeply by his devoted daughter, Theresa Matacia and her husband, Patrick Scanlon, of Novato, California; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Cheryl Matacia, of Phoenix, Arizona; and his four step-grandchildren, Patrick, Bradley, Candace and Cambria.

Ernie is survived by one older brother, Laurence, who resides in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Adele, daughter Evelyn ("Eva") M. Matacia; and son, Ernest T. Matacia Jr.

Ernie will be laid to rest next to Adele and Evely, at Oddfellows Cemetery, Greenwood, Mississippi.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 1028 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006 or by contacting The Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.