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Matthew Harold Napora
07/04/1924 — 11/02/2004
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Roy, Washington
Matthew Harold Napora
Matthew Harold Napora, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2004, early in the morning of the Feast of All Souls.
Matt was born in Roy, Washington, on the Fourth of July, 1924, the son of a Polish immigrant who worked his way across the US and set up his blacksmith shop in Roy. Matt was a hard and productive worker all his life, beginning with his early jobs on a bulb farm, at Mt. Rainier, in the shipyards, and on the McCord Air Field and Fort Lewis Fire Departments as a truck driver. In those days, he was also trapping muskrat and raising turkeys for income. Matt moved to Richland, Washington in 1947 taking a job as a fireman at the Hanford Atomic Plant. He attended night school to earn his certification as an Instrument Specialist and worked for General Electric then Battelle in that capacity. He was a Level Four Manager for Battelle until his retirement in 1986.
In 1948 Matt married Lois Rochester, the love of his life, and they raised three children of their own and five foster children. Matt was preceded in death by Lois in 1993 and his son, Matthew in 2003. He was a very active member of Christ the King Catholic Church serving as MC and Eucharistic Minister at daily and Sunday masses. He was involved for many years with Lois in the Yakima Diocese Cursillo Movement.
Matt was a talented, ingenious, creative man who could make or fix anything. He enjoyed wood carving, fishing, gardening, gathering asparagus and pickling it and serving in his church. After Lois died, Matt became astute at shopping for bargains and an excellent cook.
Matt was so proud of and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren: Leslie Napora; Christopher, Nicholas and Jennifer Shuley; Jimmy, Scott, Johnny, Monnie and Christi Bennett; Steven and Matthew Schneider; Mindy and Tammy and their children Tim, Alex, Nathan and Katie; who will all miss their Grandpa with all their hearts.
Matt enjoyed teasing everyone and the joy, love and fun he brought to our lives will be sorely missed by his daughters: Darlene Shuley and Sharon Bennett; foster sons: Steve Schneider and Tom Roller; sons-in-law Keith Shuley and Jim Bennett; daughter-in-law Karen Napora; Matts brother Stan Napora and his sister Wanda Smith; and the community and friends who shared Matts life.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Friday, November 5, at 7 pm at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland. A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, November 6, at 11:30 am at Christ the King.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ the King School, Richland, Washington, 99352, in Matts name.
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Shari & Darlene. We will miss both of your Parents, we knew them both it was very sad when Lois passed away but Matt continued with his daily journeys, he was a great friend and neighbor, he would come to our house right across the street and say Im going out of town would you mind getting the mail and newspaper for me, this was an honor to do this for Matt. He was an awesome friend and neighbor. He used to come over and sit just to tell his jokes, or to bring our kids some candy over. Anything I needed moved I was to call on him and the old green truck. He always brought us over his tomato’s and Aparagus fresh picked, and then let us not forget his huge Zucchinni he grew.I always knew bread was going to be made. We will really miss Matt he was a very good friend and a truely great neighbor.God bless the family in their time of sorrow.
Wilmer,Violet,Rachel,Joseph Willis.
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Shari & Darlene. We will miss both of your Parents, we knew them both it was very sad when Lois passed away but Matt continued with his daily journeys, he was a great friend and neighbor, he would come to our house right across the street and say Im going out of town would you mind getting the mail and newspaper for me, this was an honor to do this for Matt. He was an awesome friend and neighbor. He used to come over and sit just to tell his jokes, or to bring our kids some candy over. Anything I needed moved I was to call on him and the old green truck. He always brought us over his tomato’s and Aparagus fresh picked, and then let us not forget his huge Zucchinni he grew.I always knew bread was going to be made. We will really miss Matt he was a very good friend and a truely great neighbor.God bless the family in their time of sorrow.
Wilmer,Violet,Rachel,Joseph Willis.
I remember a beautiful Christmas with the Napora’s. Mr. Napora had us help him I’m not sure we were much help, really, looking back on it make a grotto type nativity scene which we were all quite proud of. He always made me feel at home and no matter how much he teased me, I knew it was always in a loving way. He was a beautiful man!
Thank you Jesus for taking Uncle Matt without much pain here. I pray that you would be with all family and friends and grant them peace during this difficult moment. I thank you for knowing Uncle Matt is with you and Aunt Lois. In His name, Amen.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Uncle Matt was a wonderful person and I will remember the good times!
I would like to share this with you:
When our bodies, because of age, illness, accident or desease, can no longer relate what we are, what we feel or what we desire; when our bodies give us more pain than pleasure, they actually become prisons, incarcerating our sprits. Then it is time for God, in His love, to release our sprits form our bodies. The scriptures say that those who belive in Jesus Christ do not experience death, they just go through a metamorphosis or change of body. Paul 5
God bless, Wanda and Carmine
Matt was a man who lived life to the fullest! He was loved by all and will be deeply missed by everyone he touched!!!
Love, John & Judy
Friends,
Matt was a true joy to know. He was always full of fun, wit, and creativity; we still enjoy the many wood carvings he made and shared with us. Matt had time for everyone and took an interest in those around him. He and Lois shared their talents and warmth in each thing they did and we were all touched by their love and devotion. I never saw Matt angry at anyone, and each person he knew was better for his friendship. My mother, Melba Conway, recently recalled the many great times she and my Dad had with Matt and Lois. Thinking of all of you and how blessed we each were to know Matt.
Uncle Matt was always fun to be with and he always made me laugh. I will miss him.
I sure will miss my fishing partner
Doris and I really enjoyed our visits with Matt. He had such a great sense of humor. We will also miss the fresh aspargus that he picked down by the river and brought us in the spring.
Uncle Matt was a wonderful man, he was always joking. He would call my house and leave a message for us to return his call and when I Keiladid he would tell me I don’t want to talk to you have your husband Pat call me. What a guy. I will always cherish the memories I have of him. He will be missed.
My prayers are with you. God Bless.
Love,
Keila
In ways big and small, your
Dad’s life changed our world
and left it a better place,
and touched too many hearts
to ever be forgotten.
Thinking of you.
Love,
Keith
Uncle Matt was always so friendly and fun and we will miss him! Our prayers are with you~
Love, Jeff and Kerry Duchemin
Shari,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this difficult time. Marsha
I wanted to let all of you that I have been praying for Uncle Matt when I heard he was ill. Know I will pray for you all to help you heal.
My love and prayers are with you. Love & God Bless all of you Patty
Shari: Matt was agreat guy and will be greatly missed. I’ll always remember our AFS student information transfers through his old pickup in the driveway and his terrific sense of humor at AFS picnics over the years.
It was my pleasure to know your lovely mother and to have worked with Matt for serveral years at Battelle. He is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. God Bless you all and comfort you in this time of sorrow!
He was the best boss I ever had. If you wrote the specs for getting someone to work for and to do the job right you would have to describe Matt Napora. What a great priviledge to have known him. He never let me down and I tried very hard not to ever let him down.
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Matthew Harold Napora