July 30, 1925 - December 2, 2016Matilde (Mat) Vasquez, age 91, was called to our Lord shortly after midnight on December 2, 2016 after an evening surrounded by family. Mat was born on July 30, 1925 in Seguin, Texas, the oldest of eight children of Jacinto and Nicanora Silva Vasquez.Mat retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant with over 22 years of service, having seen combat in the Korean War, during which he was awarded the Purple Heart, and in two tours in Vietnam, 1965-1966 and 1970-1971. He saw overseas service in Japan, Hawaii, Germany and the Canal Zone. Decorations include the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.Mat grew up a migrant farm worker, he and his brother Poncho driving the family to harvest beets and tomatoes in Ohio and cherries in Michigan. When not in the army, he held a variety of jobs, including tailor, delivery driver and owner of a polygraph business.Following the death of this mother, he was patriarch of a large family, centered in San Antonio and stretching to the Rio Grand Valley, the West Coast and New England. He took great pride in family gatherings that often exceeded 100 relatives, all of whom knew and loved him. He also delighted in visits from his grandchildren, close relations with siblings and children and the companionship of friends.His Christmas light displays brought joy to many, as did his jokes and banter. He enjoyed fishing in the Valley, especially when only he caught a fish, and sipping coffee on the patio, watching and listening to the Chachalacas. He loved travel, road-tripping in his 80s to California and Washington D.C. and, as a young father, hitchhiking into Switzerland to order parts for his broken-down car while his family camped on the German border until his return.Mat met the highs and lows of life with quiet dignity and good cheer. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family, and a good friend to his neighbors. He will be missed.Mat is survived by his wife of 33 years, Maria Castrejon Vasquez, sister Adela Solis, brothers Jacinto Vasquez (Ernestina), Crispin Vasquez (Mary Helen) and Salvador Vasquez, sister-in-law Sara Vasquez, children Margaret Ciampaglia (Dominic), Richard Vasquez (Pauline), Roland Vasquez (Georgia), Ruben Vasquez (Nicole), Melissa Vasquez, and Kiki Tsakalakis (Brayton), 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.He was preceded in death by his son Ronald, his parents, his first wife of 29 years, Lucille Fraga Vasquez, brother Ydelfonso Vasquez and sisters Catarina Gleason and Micaela Zamarripa.The family is grateful to Dr. Carlos Porter and his staff, Dr. Carlos Roman, the staff of Barnes Physical Therapy, Dr. Lajja Patel and the staff at Methodist Hospital, and the staff at Gentiva Hospice.Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a rosary at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Rd, San Antonio. Mass will be at 7:00 a.m., December 9, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 7893 Grissom Rd. Burial service with military honors will follow at 9:00 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.,San Antonio.