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James J. Matour, 91, PGW executive and war veteran

James J. Matour, 91, of East Falls, a World War II veteran and a retired executive with the Philadelphia Gas Works, died Monday, May 23, of heart failure at home.

James J. Matour interrupted his studies at Drexel to enlist. He flew 19 bombing missions over Nazi
Germany in 1944 and 1945.
James J. Matour interrupted his studies at Drexel to enlist. He flew 19 bombing missions over Nazi Germany in 1944 and 1945.Read more

James J. Matour, 91, of East Falls, a World War II veteran and a retired executive with the Philadelphia Gas Works, died Monday, May 23, of heart failure at home.

Mr. Matour grew up in Germantown. He graduated second in his class at Simon Gratz High School in 1942 and entered what is now Drexel University to major in mechanical engineering.

In 1943, he interrupted his studies to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He was a B-17 bomber pilot, and flew 19 bombing missions over Nazi Germany in 1944 and 1945. On one mission, he was shot down behind enemy lines. He and his crew were rescued by the French Underground, said son James M. Matour.

"He didn't really talk about it much," his son said.

In addition to being a pilot, he was a formation flying instructor. He was honorably discharged in July 1945 with the rank of first lieutenant.

After the war, Mr. Matour married Mary Moscariello. They settled in East Mount Airy and became the neighbors of Frank Rizzo, then a beat cop in Philadelphia.

Later, the Matour family moved to East Falls, where in 1952 he and his father, James Matour, built a stone and stucco house in five months. The two did all the work themselves except for the basement excavation and stone front.

Mr. Matour lived in the home until 1997, when he bought a house in Blue Bell. His wife had died in 1995. He later returned to East Falls.

He was the director of marketing for the Philadelphia Gas Works, where he worked for 32 years without taking a single sick day, his son said. He retired from the gas works in 1990, and after a hiatus of several years, became a Center City real estate manager. He retired for the last time in 2012.

Mr. Matour enjoyed doing home projects and reading. For several decades, he made a barrel of wine each year, using 20 boxes of Napa Valley Zinfandel grapes that he had shipped to East Falls.

"A guy delivered them on a flatbed truck and piled them up on the sidewalk. The neighbors were scratching their heads," his son said.

In addition to his son, he is survived by a sister and his companion, Carole Gurkaynak.

A 9:30 a.m. viewing Saturday, May 28, at St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church, 3667 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129, will be followed by a 10:30 Funeral Mass at the church. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Donations may be made to the church at the address above.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102