OBITUARIES - May 13, 2020

May 1, 2020

James (Jim) Robert MacFarlane, Jr.

Jim “Sandy” MacFarlane, 69, of Tustin, Calif. died on April 27.

A native of Detroit, Mich., MacFarlane spent many years at Tiger Stadium, where his uncle played the organ. There, he developed a love for baseball that led to a life-long hobby of playing softball well into his senior years.

MacFarlane was a long-time member of the Git-R-Done organization, beginning in 2008 with the 55 team.  He last played in the 2017 season at the Winter World Championships.

“JimmyMac (as he was known by) was an avid softball player,” said Tommy DeRocher, manager of Git-R-Done 65.  “He played on numerous league teams in Southern California, and was a member of the Git-R-Done organization, playing on 55, 60 and 65 teams.”

“JimmyMac was a valuable teammate,” continued DeRocher.  “He was a solid team player and could run like the wind!  He would do whatever was asked of him to help win a game. We have missed him these last few years due to illness.  JimmyMac loved Git-R-Done and was also our webmaster. He may not be with us physically, but his spirit will endure as he will always be a Git-R-Done teammate.”

MacFarlane retired in 2019 as a Computer Network Engineer.

John “Jack” G. Mateja

Jack Mateja, 79, of Dyer, IN died on May 7. He would have been 80 on May 9.

A U.S. Army Veteran, Mateja was a long-time member of the Chicago Geezers 65s and 70s, as well as the Chicago Seniors 65 and Central State Seniors 70s, among others.

“We lost one of our most revered and outstanding players,” said George (Mickey) Mills, who played with Mateja on numerous teams. “Jack Mateja was by far the greatest senior softball player I have ever seen. If anyone should be in the softball hall of fame it was him.”

Mateja most recently played in the 2014 season with Central State Seniors.

"Jack’s family would like to thank his teammates from the Chicago Geezers, Indy Classics, Joseph Chevrolet and the Marco Island Senior Softball League for their outpouring of sympathy," said Jack's son, Tom Mateja. Tom is also an SSUSA member, playing with All-In Softball 50, Big Hurt Softball/Draft Picks 50, and Old Stars 55.

"Jack was determined to travel down to Marco for the senior softball league this past winter," continued Tom. "Although his playing days ended a few years ago, he still treasured being at the fields with the guys."

During his childhood, Mateja was a member of the 1952 Whiting Little League team that advanced to the World Series in Williamsport. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, and a graduate of Purdue University.

Along with playing senior softball, Mateja enjoyed golf, bowling and gardening.

Mateja retired from LTV Steel.

In Memoriam

Lou Coppola, 92, of Sacramento, Calif., died on April 25.

Coppola played in a local senior softball league until the age of 80.

“I first met Lou Coppola some 25 years ago when I joined the Golden Seniors Softball Club and he was one of its veteran leaders,” said Ron Roach, a long-time member of the Sac Blues. “He helped the club in so many ways, including editing the club newsletter and serving on the board of directors. Whenever the club asked for volunteers, Lou would step forward. He was a tremendous ambassador for senior softball, avidly recruiting members and sponsors. He did all this while very active with other pursuits, including the staging of big band-era dances, singing in the church choir and traveling with his wife, Betty."

Coppola's obituary was featured in the Sacramento Bee, ‘Melodic and powerful’: Sacramento radio legend Lou Coppola dies at 92.