Name: Matteo P. "Pat" Latona Life Dates: 6/5/1923 - 9/11/2011 City Of Birth: Rochester, NY Pre-deceased by Predeceased by his wife, Ruth A. (Marthage) Latona; sister, Rose Maddalena. History Also survived by his 5 children Jean (Steve) McCagg, Mary Jo (Tom) Trenkner, Michael (Paola) Latona, Julia Latona, Thomas Latona; 8 grandchildren Brian Fitzsimmons, Anthony Epperson, Daniel, Michael, Samuel McCagg, Andrew, Matthew, Catherine Latona; siblings, Joseph Latona, Mary Whipple, Peter (Dolores) Latona, Grace (Joseph) Bellave; brother-in-law, Peter Maddalena; several nieces nephews. Donations In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Home Foundation, 150 Highland Ave, Rochester, NY 14620 or Alzheimer's Association, 435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620 in Pat's memory. Services Pat's visitation will be 2-4 7-9 PM Wednesday at the funeral home 1411 Vintage Lane, Greece. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Thursday at Our Mother of Sorrows Church 5000 Mt. Read Blvd. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Additional Information Pat was born on June 5, 1923, and grew up in the City of Rochester with his immigrant Italian parents and five siblings. He served for three years in the U.S. Army during World War II, mostly on Guadalcanal. After dropping out of high school as a teen, he earned his diploma at age 25 and proudly went on to obtain a degree in education from SUNY Brockport in 1952. Most of his teaching career took place in the City of Rochester, at No. 9 and No. 41 schools. He was also a successful World Book Encyclopedia salesman during these years. Pat married Ruth Marthage on June 26, 1954. They soon moved to the Town of Greece, where they raised their five children and remained until relocating to Oviedo, Florida, in 1993. There, he continued operating the rare coin business he had begun in the 1970s and expanded after retiring from teaching in 1981. Pat moved back to Rochester in 2004 and spent his final years under the loving care of the 6th Floor South staff at St. John's Home. Pat enjoyed life with a childlike zest, never outgrowing his love for sports, amusement parks, firework displays and comedy movies. Yet he was also a committed educator, insisting that his students and children always give their best effort. Above all, he was a devoted family man -- deeply loyal to his Catholic faith and his loved ones; a wonderful role model of honesty, integrity, commitment and love.