Matthew Decarlo

BOARDMAN - A prayer service will be held today, Sept. 15, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, followed by a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Holy Family Church, Poland, for Matthew J. DeCarlo, 87, who died early Friday morning at the Hospice House.
He was born Sept. 5, 1927, in the Brier Hill section of Youngstown, a son of Joseph and Carmela (DiPaola) DeCarlo.
Matthew was a proud 1946 graduate of The Rayen School, where he served as Class President and was a member of the Honor Roll. He was also selected as a tackle for the 1945 All-County Football Team.
At the age of 18, Matthew joined the U.S. Army and served as a member of the Signal Corps, where he earned the Victory Medal. He became a fireman for the Youngstown Fire Department in 1952. During his time with the fire department, Matthew served as Engineer, Captain and Fire Chief. He retired as a Captain in 1981. He was also employed by the Union Distributing Co. in Girard, a family-owned business.
Matthew was a member of the Local 312 Firefighters Association, the State Association of Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio, Holy Family Parish, the Tod Civics and Athletic Association, and the ITAM Club. He was a good golfer, but didn't love it because he loved his family first.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, the former Thomasine "Tommi" Flask, whom he married April 7, 1948; his daughters, Karen Thomas and husband Anthony "OJ" of Canfield and Renee Drentkiewicz and her husband James of Mars, Pa.; his grandchildren, Anthony Felt and wife Janice, Leanna Kemble and husband David, and Matthew Thomas and wife Lauren; his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Thomas, and Grant Kemble, and Tobin and Anthony Felt; his sister, Elizabeth DelSignore and husband Lee of Struthers; his brother-in-law, Edward Flask and wife Patricia of Poland; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Rose Villio and Josephine Richley; and his in-laws, the former Mayor Anthony B. Flask and his wife, Lena.
The DeCarlo family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Thomas Detesco, the staff at the Commons at Greenbriar and the Greenbriar Healthcare Facilities for their loving care of Matthew.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House, 9603 Sharrot Road, Poland, OH 44514, in memory of Matthew.
Friends may call today from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.