+Tomislav Matić Obituary

3/9/1940 – 3/8/2023

On March 8, 2023, Tomislav Matić fell asleep unto the Lord. Tomo was a faithful husband, father and grandfather who loved his family and worked hard to achieve the American Dream. He lived his life in a way that embodied and fulfilled the 2nd commandment, “love your neighbor as yourself” and was always eager to help friends and family members both in the US and abroad, selflessly.

He was born on March 9, 1940 in Paraćin, Serbia, Yugoslavia. After serving in the army, Tomo came to Milwaukee, WI in 1962 to visit relatives and live in the Serbian Orthodox community where he was anchored by the church. Before long he met Jasminka Tomašević and they were married in 1964; together they raised three daughters. Tomo worked hard, balancing a career working as a Draftsman and CAD Designer with his passion for managing properties and working as the original fixer upper. He enjoyed spending time with family camping all over WI and later CA, playing pick-up soccer games and biking to work in Milwaukee.

Tomo and Jasminka moved to California in 1978, at first landing in Alhambra in the St. Steven’s community and eventually settling in La Palma. Tomo was proud of his Serbian heritage; he brought his family to church regularly and enjoyed volunteering and teaching folk dancing in the church community. Throughout his life and especially in retirement, Tomo lived life to the fullest; he loved planting and cultivating fruit trees, playing chess with his grandchildren, and fixing anything that needed fixing.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jasminka, daughters Dana Elez, Angelina Morano (Jeffrey) and Tina Matic (Hernán Espinosa) and seven grandchildren: Marko, Andrej, Stefan Elez; Konstantin, Katarina Espinosa; and, Karis, Holden Morano.

Memory Eternal

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to:

St. Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox Benevolent Society