CLARICH, Matthew Stanislaw (Matt)

Owens Livingston Mortuary Show Low, Arizona Matthew Stanislaw Clarich January 16, 1943 - April 13, 2011 Matthew Stanislaw Clarich died just after Noon on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona from a sudden heart attack. He was 68 years old. Matt was born, the only child, to the late Michael and Jean (Szymanski) Clarich on January 16, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Eleanor nee Meier in Miller Place, Long Island, New York. The couple were married in Mt. Sinai, New York on May 4, 1963. They were looking forward to celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary in just 2 weeks. As a young man, he heard his patriotic call and enlisted himself in the United States Air Force. He served 20 years in the Air Force and, for many of those years, he lived over seas in the Orient. He served in Thailand as well as Okinawa, Japan. When he returned to the States, he called Laredo and San Antonio, Texas "home." Forty years ago, Matt moved to Arizona and was stationed at Williams Air Force Base and Luke Air Force Base. He retired as a Master Sergeant. Soon after his retirement, Matt found himself working for the U.S. Postal service as one of its mail carriers. He continued with that job for another 10 years. He made friends wherever he was and when he left the post office, many missed his service and friendship. Realizing that "retirement" just wasn't for him, Matt spent the last year of his life working as a security guard at Show Low's Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center, where he was a familiar and friendly face. Matt was a huge animal lover. Some of his best friends were those of the "four-legged" kind. He loved horses, dogs, cats and any other creature that expressed their unconditional love to him. At the time of his death, he and his wife, were planning to open up an animal shelter. That shelter would have served as an overflow for the White Mountain Humane Society and he was so looking forward to providing foster care for those most needy pets. Again, this gentle giant of a man will be missed. Matthew Stanislaw Clarich is survived by his wife, Dorothy Clarich of Concho, Arizona; 4 children: Robert (Cathy) Clarich of Gilbert, Arizona, Laurie-Rae (James) Sloan of Show Low, Arizona, Beverly Downs of Mesa, Arizona, Matthew Clarich of Seattle, Washington; 3 grandchildren: Cody Clarich of Gilbert, Arizona, Brittany Clarich of Gilbert, Arizona and Desirae Clarich of Mesa, Arizona. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial is pending for St. Rita's Catholic Church in Show Low, Arizona. This website will be updated as soon as the funeral mass is confirmed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05/06/2011 Matthew Stanislaw Clarich, 68, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low from a sudden heart attack. Matt was born Jan. 16, 1943, the only child to the late Matthew and Jean (Szymanski) Clarich in Philadelphia, Pa. A memorial service will be held at 1p.m. Saturday, May 7, at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens in Show Low. Burial will be at a later date at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign our online guest book, we invite you to visit our website at www.owenslivingstonmortuary. An update will be posted to this website as to when the burial will be held. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements.