Tony Matalonis was my husband. He died Nov 13, 2014 instantly from a heart attack. He was a donor through Mid-America Transplant, and he was able to help so many people, for which I am so glad.
Tony was a funny, sweet, kind, smart-alecky kind of guy, always thought he was right (which many men do), but sometimes it got him in a little bit of trouble. He was driving in our little Nissan truck with our two kids in the cab with him. Well a policeman must have cut in front of him and it aggravated him so what does he do? He honks at him. Our kids were scared and begging him not to say anything. So, the cop circles back and turns on his siren and lights and pulls them over. When he came up to the car and asks Tony why he honked at him Tony innocently said, no I wasn’t honking at you officer I was honking at someone I knew down the road. Sure thing Tony!!! Our kids love to tell this story.
Then there was another time when we were on vacation in New York, driving down the turnpike. He was speeding and a cop started following us and pulled us over. He walked up, asked for his license then asked if he knew he was going 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. Well Tony proceeded to tell the officer he wasn’t speeding, the speed limit was just lowered in the last few miles and he was coasting to get down to the lower speed. That went over really well as he proceeded to write him a ticket. The kids and I still laugh about that one also.
He was the most energetic, fun-loving person I have ever met. He always believed in going for the “gusto” in life and never put off something fun to do till the next day. I loved that about him, if you want to do something but worry if it’s the right time etc. do it. You never know what might happen and how much time we have on this earth. I am so lucky to have had this man in my life for 34 years, and I try everyday now to go for the “gusto” like he did.
Louise Matalonis Baer
