Thomas Bruce Mattlin Sr.

Thomas Bruce Mattlin Sr. (POP)

Born July 4, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and passed away December 1, 2025, at home, surrounded by the loving embrace of his wife and family.

Loved and cherished husband of Lois Lavern (Laycock) Mattlin (Mom-Mom) for over 71 years. His parents, Dortha and Charles Mattlin, are predeceased, as are his siblings Julie, Dave, Nancy, Jenny, and the rest of the family noted in age order.

He is survived by his four sons and their spouses-Tom Mattlin Jr. (Ellie), Mike Mattlin (Sandee), Ken Mattlin (Cathy), and Bill Mattlin (Glenna)-all of Delta, Pennsylvania. He leaves ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces, whose lives he touched deeply.

POP devoted his life to heavy highway construction. He began as a carpenter building the Brent Spence Bridge in downtown Cincinnati, then moved to Snow Shoe, PA, in 1963 to help construct the I-80 Bridge over the West Branch Susquehanna. He continued to lead and contribute to major projects along the East Coast, including I-79 from Meadville, PA to Morgantown, WV; I-66 in Manassas, VA; I-95 in Baltimore, MD; I-97 in Annapolis, MD; and the original Dulles Access Roads and runways at Dulles and Baltimore/Washington Airports. In 1980, his wife and four sons founded The Six-M Company, Inc. in Delta, PA, the family's final home and business location. Today, Six-M remains a staple of heavy highway construction, with the third generation at the helm. POP served as president of the Maryland Highway Contractors Association in 1987–1988 and contributed to many other committees throughout his career.

POP's Masonic journey began in 1967 with Kedron Lodge 389 in West Middlesex, PA. He joined Boumi Shriners in Baltimore, MD, in 1982, becoming Captain of The Camel Wheels in 1987. He served as President of the Mid-Atlantic Motor Club Association and Inner Guard of the Divan in 1992, and was a committee member for the Imperial Shrine Convention in Baltimore in 2005. A long-time contributor to the Boumi Golf Classic since 1986, he joined The Royal Order of Jesters, Baltimore Court 82, in 1993 and remained a Life Member, helping sustain the Court's ongoing success.

POP's heart's desire was to return to Snow Shoe, PA, and own a hunting camp. In 1990, he realized that dream by purchasing a large tract of land and designing a 12-bedroom hunting lodge (a scale model built from popsicle sticks sits as a testament to his ingenuity). As weather and seasons changed, he found joy in fishing and spending time at his Florida home in Lakeport, near Lake Okeechobee, since 1996, where he enjoyed fishing, gator hunting, frogging, and hog hunting with family and friends. In 1995, he founded Mattlin Racing Inc., becoming one of the East Coast's elite engine builders for go-kart racing. He spent countless hours helping his grandchildren and others fine-tune engines, earning state championships across PA, MD, DE, VA, NC, NY, and numerous local divisions. Mattlin Racing Inc. took home the 2001 World Karting Association National Championship with POP's grandson, Bradley Mattlin, at the helm.

In lieu of flowers, please make checks payable to "Shriners Children's Philadelphia" in memory of Tom Mattlin Sr. and mail to Boumi Temple, 5050 King Ave, Rosedale, MD 21237.

A Celebration of Life to honor Thomas Bruce Mattlin Sr. is planned for July 4, 2026, bringing together family and friends to celebrate his life. Further details and the location will be updated as we approach the date. All other services will remain private at the request of the family . Wagner-Elfner and Harkins Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 600 Main Street, Delta, is assisting the family with arrangements.