Rodney Anthony "Big Rod" Mattina

Mr. Rodney Anthony Mattina, Sr., a Biloxi native and dedicated family man, "Big Rod" Mattina, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2007, after a lengthy, yet valiant battle with cancer. He was 64. Rodney will be remembered by many as a devout Catholic and a proud patriarch of his loving family. He will be remembered by all as a cherished friend. Whether you saw him at church, the movies, or out shopping, you were probably entertained and left the encounter with a smile on your face. Although he was burdened with facing his own imminent mortality, he bravely clung to hope. He never allowed himself to lose his complete trust in God; his struggle was strengthened by his faith. Rodney credited prayer, his treatment, and the guidance of his brilliant doctors for the success he experienced during his odds-defying battle. While difficult to endure, his illness sharpened his already keen prespective. He valued his faith, his family, and his friends - in that order. Rodney had a friendly demeanor and a willingness to please others as evidenced by his memo book full of jokes that brought laughter to many colleagues over the course of his 33 years of employment at Mississippi Power Company. A proud Biloxian, he was a three-sport lettermant at Notre Dame High School where he earned a spot on the Wall of Fame at Biloxi's "Yankie" Stadium and the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame. Rodney went on to be a two-sport letterman at the University of Mississippi. While at Notre Dame, he helped the football team achieve an 11-0 record and played on the state champion baseball team, both in his senior year. As an Ole Miss student-athlete, he was a member of the 1962 and 1963 SEC Football Championship teams, including the Rebels' only undefeated and untied campaign (1962). In addition, he was a member of the 1964 SEC Baseball Championship team which participated at the 1964 College Baseball World Series. While at Ole Miss, he was fortunate to be coached by both the legendary John Vaught and Tom Swayze, and he had a special affinity for Coach J. W. "Wobble" Davidson. However, he was most grateful for the life lessons learned at the hands of his mentors, coaches, and friends at Notre Dame High School, including the Brothers of the Holy Cross, Coach Tony Cintgran, and especially Coach Charles Hegwood, whom he likened to a second father. Everyone who knew Rodney knew of his passion for Ole Miss athletics and the New Orleans Saints. He was the 1995 recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award of the University of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Alumni Association. He enjoyed several hobbies throughout his life: fishing, photography, softball, tennis, and coaching youth sports. As a child, his favorite toys were bows and arrows, BB guns, marbles, and army figurines or “littles” as he called them. He was a huge fan of rock and roll music in its golden years, and if the Platters sang it, he liked it! He was a collector of knives, coins, and somewhat uniquely, bottles of hot sauce. Later in life, he even became a self-taught World War II buff. Two of Rodney’s biggest passions were movies and the culinary arts. He loved to cook gumbo for holiday gatherings, and some of his other favorite foods were red beans or large lima beans and rice, shrimp and oyster po-boys, Hugo’s pizza, and his mother’s banana pudding. His beverage of choice was almost always Barq’s root beer. Big Rod’s life was most distinguished by his love for his family and his enjoyment for the company of his friends. He was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend who will be remembered always. When asked about the nicest thing he had done for his parents, Rodney replied that it was growing into a man of whom they could be proud. He often expressed his appreciation for being born in the United States and likely thanked his Lord for that upon their first meeting. The virtues that he passed on to his family and friends were integrity, honesty, family as second only to God, and, most importantly, remaining in a “state of grace” in order to be ready when God calls. Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Jules “A. J.” Mattina, mother Virginia Anne Cruthirds Mattina, sisters Cynthia Ann Mattina, and Shirley Mae Ryan Landry. He is survived by his devoted wife, Georgette Clare Joachim Mattina; his children, Rodney Anthony Mattina, Jr. and his wife, Jamie; Rose Ann Mattina Pegoda and her husband, Robert; Cynthia Elizabeth Mattina Andrews and her husband, Gregg; Michael Joseph Mattina and his wife, Laura; his grandchildren, Caitlyn Rose Andrews, Madeline Clare Andrews, Danielle Marie Pegoda, Thomas Robert Pegoda, Luke Anthony Pegoda, Mitchell Everett Pegoda, Bailey Conner Calhoun, Makenzee Chase Calhoun, and Anthony Ford Mattina. Services will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 with a visitation beginning at 12:30 PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park on U.S. 90 in Biloxi. Friends may gather in celebration immediately after the burial at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall. Donations to the Our Lady of Fatima chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 will honor Rodney’s life. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.