A long-time Study Center and Social Studies teacher passed away early this morning. Mr. Thomas Mattia, who had just retired this past June, had a great life and will always be remembered by the thousands of students he taught and by the teachers who were lucky enough to have him as a colleague and a friend. He would have been 93 years old this coming Wednesday. He was a sailor in World War II, seeing action in the Pacific. He was a teacher for half a century. He knew what he was talking about when he taught history. He was wise and compassionate, and will always be in the thoughts of those of us who were fortunate to have known him.
       Mr. Mattia, pictured above in the right corner, with Mrs. Jacobson on his right and Mrs. Pappas on his left, was loved by his students. They knew that his main goal was to help them do better in their classes (the same goal all we teachers in the Study Center share). Please read four student comments about him when he was teaching: "... an excellent resource with a lot of experience teaching Social Studies"; "He helps me SO much...He's a great teacher. He reminds me of my grandpa."; "He is the best ... such a helpful teacher, amazing ... I wish I had his brain."; and "The best teacher ever, helpful and kind."
       We will miss him, but we don't have to be sad. He lived a long, marvelous life. People should be judged by the positive ways in which they helped and influenced others, and using this measure, Mr. Thomas Mattia lived a very valuable life. He will be remembered that way. He WAS Life! He will be in the hearts and minds of all those who had the privilege of knowing him, and that is how he will remain alive to us.