weekend update...

didn't do much. this weekend. ended up not going to my sil's house. worked on the weight loss challenge forum. it's not too late to join in, if you still want to. just send me an email poundsfordough[at]gmail.com. we're at 12 or 13 ladies now. so...good deal!

not much going on today either. cleaning, a few small errands. i think that's it. i had an ew to new in the works, but i really goofed so it's now 'ew-ier' and on its way into the trash. it is 'fubar' as they say.

anyway, on a sad note, i read my in email this morning that my Dad's Uncle Mike passed away over the weekend. he was 93. i had recently kept in touch with my Aunt Rita and Uncle Mike; they live in Cocoa, FL and she is quite the little computer gal, emailing, typing word docs...creating spiral bound books about her family history!!! wow. so, now her husband of 63 years is gone. i didn't know him well at all and think i might have only met him several times when i was a child. but that didn't matter. the emails from my Aunt Rita over the last three years told enough to glean that he was a wonderful man.

this pic was sent in a Christmas card to my family in 2007...the more i look at him, the more i see my Dad in his face. the two really looked alike.

here is the obituary...

Michael Charles Mataraza

COCOA, FLORIDA – Michael Charles Mataraza, 93, died at Wuesthoff Hospice In-Patient Facility on Saturday, July 19, 2008 surrounded by his family.

Born in Milton, New York on May 20, 1915 he was the son of Charles & Maria Michele Matarazzo. On February 18, 1945 he married Rita Antoinette Abbruzzese, and they resided in Milton until 1979 when they moved to Naples, Florida. In 2007, they moved to Cocoa Village, Florida.

Mike volunteered to serve in the US Army during World War II. He was a Staff Sergeant, Army Corps of Engineers, stationed in the European Theatre and participated in the Normandy Invasion. He was a life member of the Milton Engine Company and a member of the American Legion Vieby Sutton Post in Marlboro, New York.

Survivors include Rita, his wife of 63 years; his daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Neil Fino Sr. of Highland, New York; his daughter Diane Mataraza and her fiancé Michael Schleiffer of Viera, Florida; his grandson Michael Charles and his wife Deanna Fino of Hopewell Junction, New York; and grandson, Neil Vincent and his wife Elizabeth Fino of Highland, New York. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Anthony Michael, Victoria Marie, Michael Charles Jr., Dominic Francis, Elizabeth Michele and Joseph Anthony; 27 nieces and nephews and 48 great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Louise Mataraza, Rose Arecco, Marie Martucci and Jean Pallonetti; and his brothers John and Patrick Mataraza.

Our entire family was blessed with his love, care, passion, protectiveness, devotion and honor. His favorite saying was “La familia é numero uno!”

We extend special thanks to Dr. Vincent Sciortino, Dr. Stephen Watts, Nurse Angel Collins and the extraordinary staff of Wuesthoff Hospice Care Center.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 26^th from 9:00 – 10 a.m. at DiDonato Funeral Home, 1290 Route 9W, Marlboro, New York. Reverend William Scafidi will celebrate a Mass of Requiem at 11:00 a.m., St. Mary’s Church, 180 South Street, Newburgh, New York. Entombment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Middlehope, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wuesthoff Hospice & Palliative Care Center, In-Patient Facility, C/O Wuesthoff Health System Foundation Inc., PO Box 565002, Rockledge, Florida 32956-9928.