Info Sheet - James E. Tatko Sr.
Died 12 January 1979 - see comments and notes
Obituary: The Post-Star (Glens Falls, New York) - 15 Jan 1979
Guilford, Maine
James E. Tatko Sr., 35 of Guilford, Maine died Friday (Jan 12, 1979) in Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor.
Mr. Tatko was born Feb. 13, 1943, in granville, NY, the son of John M. and Edna (Beecher) Tatko. He graduated from Granville High School and Norwich University in Northfield, VT.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and rose to the rank of Captain. He served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star with two clusters for heroism.
Mr. Tatko was president of the Portland Monson Slate Co. in Maine for 10 years.
Besides his parents of Middle Granville, he is survived by his wife, Paula (McCarthy) Tatko of Guilford; a son, James Tatko Jr. of Guilford; a daughter Jennifer Tatko of Guilford; three sisters, Mrs. Joseph (Anne) Prezio of Hamburg, Mrs. Michael (Mary) DeMenno of Batavia and Mrs. Robert (Joan) Last of Grand Island; two brothers, John M. Tatko Jr. and Joseph D. Tatko, both of Middle Granville, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted at 2 PM Tuesday in "Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Midle Granville, by the Rev. Victor O'Brien.
Internment will be in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery.
The family has suggested that memorials may be made in the form of contributions to the Granville Rescue Squad, and that flowers be omitted.
Dave Tela, 3/17th Cobra pilot contacted us seeking any info possible on deceased Centaur James E. Tatko. He served 1966-67 and died 1/1/79. Here Dave's note:
James E. Tatko, a commissioned officer, class 66-4, was a member of your unit. Do you remember him?
I met his nephew Peter a couple of years ago in upstate NY. Jim's family was, and still is, owners of a successful slate quarry/company. Peter had asked me if I knew of any way to find out more about his uncle's Vietnam time/tour. I had reached out to some of his old 66-4 classmates but they had lost track of him after flight school.
I just reviewed your roster and he is listed. Right man and right tour dates. Any way you can think of to get some info about what his tour was like and the type of aircraft he flew? Jim had died from natural causes at a relatively young age and his wife apparently didn't have much for documentation.
Peter's own son has become a civilian aviator so there is a longing for anything (old orders, etc.) that might fill in a few blanks. Amazing how some things just fall into place. Dave
John Moore has a classmates account and looked up James Tatko and provided his senior yearbook photo. He is listed as residing in Granville NY in the Social Security Death Index. Dave Tela can probably confirm if it is him. (John also found Jim's Obituary for us).
Tom Fleming:
I have searched my mind for any recollection of James E. Tatko. and I draw a blank. I presume he was in the 1966 group and left with the rest in March 1967 or earlier.
Bruce Powell: 26Mar2018: Phoncon to Tatko Bros Slate Co (now Sheldon Slate) and talked to Beverly Tatko (married to Jimmy’s brother for 58 years). Dave Tela has contacted them about Jimmy. Family historian is brother in law Joesph Prezio 941-223-2917 cell. She said Jimmy died in May but Tela said January of 79. about 34/35 years old. Suspected Agent Orange related. He had a wife and two children.
Other online notes found:
James E. Tatko Scholarship
Established in 1986 by gifts from family,
alumni, and friends in memory of James
Norwich University Class of 1964