Sunday’s Obituary: Thomas H. Tracy

Thomas H. Tracy of Exton, passed away on June 18, 2013, at his residence after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 70 years old. Born in Chester on June 15, 1943, he was the son of the late Thomas and Sophie (Matys) Tracy. He was an avid golfer and had retired five years ago allowing him to spend time near Myrtle Beach, N.C. enjoying the game he loved. Tom served two years as an Army captain during the Vietnam War and later served in the Army Reserves. He was awarded an honorable discharge for his dedicated service to his country. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathleen A. "Kathy" (McConville); his three daughters, Brenda J. Tracy, Barbara J. Tracy, and Kelly A. (John) Livingston; and by five grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Tracy. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing 10 a.m. to 12 noon Monday, June 24, followed by his prayer service at 12 noon from the Logan Funeral Home, 698 East Lincoln Highway (at Ship Rd.), Exton, PA 19341. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers donations in Tom's memory may be made to Chester County Hospital, Foundation 701 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380. www.LoganFuneralHomes.com.

NOTE: Published in The Daily Local on 21 June 2013. Acquired from Ancestry.com.  

BACKGROUND:

Thomas Tracy was born 15 June 1943. I am interested in his mother – Sophia Matys. 

I found a Sophia Matys, age 19, living with her parents in 1940. This would put her birth year as 1921. The Census that year shows her parents to be Harry, age 55, and Constance, age 47. Her siblings were Walter, 23; John, 21; Eugene, 17; Emil, 15; and Vera, 10. They lived in Chester in Delaware County, PA. Harry and Constance both list their birthplace as Poland. He was a naturalized citizen and she was still an alien. The family lived on Third Street. 

The 1930 Census lists Harry and Constance’s birthplace as Austria. There is, aside obviously from the dates, no difference in Sophia and her siblings. Harry was a laborer at a silk mill. Harry and Constance list immigration as 1910 for both. 

Sophia’s father – Harry Matys – registered for the WWII draft in 1942. At that time he was unemployed and living at 614 McIlvaine Street in Chester. He lists his birth as 19 August 1883 in Austria. He describes himself as being 5’6” weighing 150 pounds. He had gray eyes, brown hair and was light complexion.

The 1920 Census lists Harry and Constance as both aliens having immigrated in 1909. They both list their birthplace as Ukraine Rus. Two sons are listed: three year old Vladimir (Walter), and one year old John. Harry was a furnace man for the steel foundry. The young family lived on West Third Street, Chester. 

His WWI Draft Registration, dated 1918, lists his birth date as the 18^th instead. He is a non declared alien and lists his citizenship as Austria Ukrainian. He was a laborer at the Penn Steel Co. His home address then was 3031 W. Third Street, Chester. He describes himself as medium height with a slender build. He had blue eyes and dark hair. 

Harry passed on 5 January 1976. Constance passed on 6 June 1949. They are buried together at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery in Linwood, Delaware County, PA.