Thomas Anthony Matovina

1931 - 2017

MATOVINA Thomas Anthony Matovina, age 85, passed away on April 11, 2017. He was born in Hammond, IN on June 13, 1931 to Michael and Barbara Matovina. He graduated from Bishop Noll High School where he played basketball and baseball and ran track. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA for 2 years and then worked for several different industrial companies in the Northwest Indiana area including Dunes Electric, American Steel, Inland Steel and Sinclair Refinery. He became a Master Carpenter and started building and remodeling homes in the early 1970's. He relocated to Florida in the early 1980's and continued to work in the home building industry until he retired in the mid 1990's. Tom took up golf late in life and was very passionate about the sport shooting his age at 76. It also gave him the opportunity to spend time with his 5 sons who also enjoyed the game. Tom was quite a story teller and loved a good laugh. He was a hard worker who supplied for his family and raised his 5 sons and 1 daughter with a loving but firm hand. He was a doting father, quick to brag about the accomplishments of his 6 children but always giving the credit to their mother. Tom had a big heart, particularly for the less fortunate. After retiring from carpentry work, he took on a leading role in getting the 100 bed, Trinity Rescue Mission Women's and Children's Center framed with all volunteer labor in 2 days! He also volunteered at the YMCA where he hung out later in life to help raise funds for scholarships for children who could not otherwise afford to participate in the programs there. He is survived by four sisters: Katie, Bobbie, Marilyn, and Ann Marie. His remaining children and their spouses also mourn his loss: John and Jean, Tim and Elida, Mark and Pat, Greg and Leslie, Thomas and Becky, and Andrea and Andy (Schlidt). Tom also has fourteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends are planning to gather for a Celebration of Life in St. Augustine, FL on June 17, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Williams Family YMCA in Jacksonville, FL.