Forever In the Hearts They Leave Behind

Matthew Thomas Pericak

February 17, 1914 – September 25, 2012


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Matt was born in Pittsburgh, PA February 17, 1914 and lived most of his life in and around Pittsburgh and later in California and Arizona. He worked for U.S. Steel and Bethlehem Steel companies in Pennsylvania. Matt retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1978 where he was a crane operator. Shortly after retirement, Matt and his wife moved to California and in 2004, moved to Mesa, AZ. Matt died on September 25, 2012 in Mesa, AZ.  He attended Duquesne University (Pittsburgh) in 1937, and toured the West as far as Denver with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans also performed radio engagements in such Midwestern states as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. He also toured throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. performing at churches, clubs, weddings and picnics. For a number of years, Matt played with the Danny Kukich Orchestra and the Kosova Orchestra. During that time, he recorded four albums featuring the Tamburitza. He moved to California in 1979 and continued to play engagements on the West Coast from California to Washington State. Matt was honored for his extraordinary career in Tamburitza by being chosen as one of six 1995 inductees to the Tamburitza Association of American (TAA) Hall of Fame. Matt was preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 67 years. Matt is survived by his daughters: Rosemary Salinas and husband Ernest, of AZ, Carolyn Richards of PA, Frances P. Tigano and husband David of AZ, Leticia Smith and husband Thom of AZ, and Bobbie Wallace and husband Jack of CA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Letitia Pressnell and Tomas Salinas, Cheryl Usko and Laura Cole, April Donovan and Jonathan Puskar, Armando Ruffolo and Alicia Ruffolo. Survivors also include nine great grandchildren: Kayleigh and Sophia Salinas, Sarah Usko, Julian Cole, Hunter Donovan, Heather and James Puskar, Kaya and Collin Ruffolo. Sister-in-laws: Ann, Mary and Mildred Dobrinic of AZ and Elia Dobrenich of PA. Services will begin at 9:30am at Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel, 7900 East Main, Mesa, AZ 85207 on Friday, September 28, 2012. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

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Matthew Thomas Pericak

February 17, 1914 – September 25, 2012


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Matt was born in Pittsburgh, PA February 17, 1914 and lived most of his life in and around Pittsburgh and later in California and Arizona. He worked for U.S. Steel and Bethlehem Steel companies in Pennsylvania. Matt retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1978 where he was a crane operator. Shortly after retirement, Matt and his wife moved to California and in 2004, moved to Mesa, AZ. Matt died on September 25, 2012 in Mesa, AZ.  He attended Duquesne University (Pittsburgh) in 1937, and toured the West as far as Denver with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans also performed radio engagements in such Midwestern states as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. He also toured throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. performing at churches, clubs, weddings and picnics. For a number of years, Matt played with the Danny Kukich Orchestra and the Kosova Orchestra. During that time, he recorded four albums featuring the Tamburitza. He moved to California in 1979 and continued to play engagements on the West Coast from California to Washington State. Matt was honored for his extraordinary career in Tamburitza by being chosen as one of six 1995 inductees to the Tamburitza Association of American (TAA) Hall of Fame. Matt was preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 67 years. Matt is survived by his daughters: Rosemary Salinas and husband Ernest, of AZ, Carolyn Richards of PA, Frances P. Tigano and husband David of AZ, Leticia Smith and husband Thom of AZ, and Bobbie Wallace and husband Jack of CA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Letitia Pressnell and Tomas Salinas, Cheryl Usko and Laura Cole, April Donovan and Jonathan Puskar, Armando Ruffolo and Alicia Ruffolo. Survivors also include nine great grandchildren: Kayleigh and Sophia Salinas, Sarah Usko, Julian Cole, Hunter Donovan, Heather and James Puskar, Kaya and Collin Ruffolo. Sister-in-laws: Ann, Mary and Mildred Dobrinic of AZ and Elia Dobrenich of PA. Services will begin at 9:30am at Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel, 7900 East Main, Mesa, AZ 85207 on Friday, September 28, 2012. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

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