James Demattio

James Rudolph DeMattio, 86 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29th at his home in Derwood, Maryland.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 24 years, Rhoda Bucker-DeMattio, his four children; Lynn Lyons, Jamie DeMattio, Robert Bucker and Park Bucker; brothers Bill and Ed DeMattio and sister Jean Boltz. He is the proud grandpa “Nonno” to four grandchildren; Lucy “Lucia” Lyons, Jacob Lyons, James “Dylan” DeMattio and Jesse DeMattio. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law, Lois and Barb and a brother-in-law, Brian.

Jim was born and raised in the family home at Midvale and graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Physics and Engineering which he applied in his work at Vitro Laboratories as a systems engineer. He was also a military veteran having served in the U.S. Navy for two years.

At Vitro he utilized his education and military experience in working on the U.S. Trident submarine contract. Later in his career, he was appointed as a Vice President of MSI, Inc., a designer of aircraft Multiple Landing Systems (MLS). He led and developed this company into a highly successful venture serving the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense. He was also a key consultant for several related firms including MiTec, Inc., JIL Systems and JDM Associates.

After retirement, his passion became his grape vineyard. The wine craft hobby of growing the grapes which he lovingly shared with family and friends by recruiting help for the grape harvest, wine processing and partaking of the fruits of his labor; a toast of wine: “Te amo uomo meraviglioso.”

Preceding Jim in death are his grandparents, Andrea and Antonia DeMattio; parents Rudy and Mary DeMattio, a sister Lucille DeMattio Riley and a brother Bob DeMattio.

A funeral service celebrating Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 2:30 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where the family will greet guests one hour prior to the service from 1:30-2:30 PM. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia.

At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carl C. Stoller Post 1445, 441 Park Ave, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, or to the Salvation Army, 809 Emmet Ave NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.