Obituary: Thomas Joseph Malthaner

Thomas Joseph Malthaner
1930 – 2018
 

Thomas Joseph Malthaner (87) passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  Tom was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla Ann (Jackson) Malthaner.  Tom and Priscilla were married on August 14, 1952 at the Spanish Franciscan Monastery in Tangier, Morocco.  Previous resident of Rockford, IL; Lansing, MI, and Sun Lakes, AZ, he currently resided in Tucson, Arizona.
 
Thomas was born November 17, 1930 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Sylvester A. Malthaner and Gertrude (Hespelin) Malthaner.  Tom had two sisters and a brother:  Maryann Mulcahey, Donald Malthaner (deceased) and Kathleen Budd (deceased).
 
Tom and Priscilla had four children:  daughters Cynthia Ann Vernile, Linda Susan Meoak, Katherine Louise Gaudioso, and son Matthew Thomas Malthaner.  Tom was the loving grandfather of nine grandchildren:  Tammy Zacchera, Danielle Crooker, Farrah Schultz, Benjamin Meoak, Adam Kruger, Andrea Meoak, Dustin Rosa, Cara Gaudioso, Celina Gaudioso; and sixteen great-grandchildren:  Sophie Zacchera, Brady Schultz, Jane Zacchera, Carter Meoak, Jack Crooker, Owen Schultz, Audrey Kruger, Benjamin Zacchera, Luke Crooker, Ryan Crooker, Olivia Meoak, Remy Kruger, Wolfie Crooker, Reese Kruger, Laiklyn Meoak, Casey Kruger (due March 2018).  Tom leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he loved and stayed in touch with.  Last but not least, his beloved Thor, his faithful companion, who was at his side day and night. The love they had for each other was immeasurable.
 
Tom graduated from the University of Illinois and then received his Registered Professional Engineer Degree in Civil Engineering in 1969 from the State of Michigan.   He was in the United States Navy from 1951-1954.  Tom worked for the State of Michigan Highway Department. He retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation with Honors after 27 years of service. In his retirement he was a Consultant for Burgess and Niple, an Engineering and Architecture Firm, and received the title of Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering from the State of Arizona in 1988.
 
Some of Tom’s most notable accomplishments were:  Michigan Department of State Highways and Transportation Award for excellence in Design, along with numerous other awards. He was the Engineering and New Building Inspector and Consultant for Sun Lakes, AZ Development.  He served on the Building Committee for Saint Stevens Church in Sun Lakes, AZ.  In 2016, at the age of 86, he wrote a 200 page book called “A Review of World War II.  Tom was a World War II Historian and a World War II model builder, Scale 1/72. Reading was also a great passion and pastime.  Besides his love of history, his favorites were suspense novels by Clive Cussler and James Patterson.
 
He loved his family and it was apparent by all who knew him. He was a pillar of strength and instilled a great work ethic to those close to him. He was a storyteller. His knowledge in general was boundless, his many history and life stories will be held dear to his children and especially his grand-children forever in their hearts. 

He was an extremely hard worker and always ready to lend his knowledge and even physically partake on a project with family, friends and neighbors no matter how big or small. He helped neighbors and family build additions to their homes with pleasure. He was a very proud man, a planner and an engineer at heart.  He took care of his family until the very end and his love for all was abounding. It is evident by all that he will leave a legacy for many generations to come.
 
He is now at peace and reunited with the love of his life Priscilla, who has been waiting for him since she passed away 8 years ago on the same day. Though we know it was his time to leave this earth, it is with heartfelt sorrow that we say goodbye to the Patriarch of this family.
 
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Country Club of LaCholla staff, Casa de la Luz Hospice and the caregivers at The Villa Liddell for the love and care extended to Thomas. We will be forever grateful.
 
Funeral mass will be Monday, February 5, 2018 at 10 am., St. Marks Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine, Oro Valley. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Casa de la Luz Hospice, 7740 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85704, 520-544-9890.