OBITUARIES
Albert Henry Costa 1931 — 2023
Albert Henry Costa, 92, of Sonora, passed away Dec. 27, 2023. He was born Oct. 10, 1931.
Albert was a medic for the Navy in the Korean War (1948-1953). He was very proud of his status as a Korean War veteran. Albert was a Golden Glove Jr. Middleweight Champion in 1954 in San Francisco, a graduate of San Francisco State College class of 1959, and author of “Child Support, an American Dilemma” and “The California Directory of Experts.”
At 92, Albert may be the state’s longest active private investigator. He started to make his mark in 1959 as chief investigator for the City and County of San Joaquin, and later chief investigator for the City and County of San Francisco.
In 1978, Albert moved to Sonora trying his hand at different ventures, until he settled on starting Al Costa Enterprises, a private-eye office. He was the only PI in Sonora for 40 years. You probably saw him driving around in his vehicle with the license plate MTN PI (Mountain Private Investigator). Over the past six decades, Albert used his private investigator’s license as a debt collector, a repo man, child support collector, finding lost family members and advising senior citizens where he could.
Albert has been invaluable to law enforcement, judges, district attorneys and the general public.
To Al Costa….”one of a kind” who can whip out a memo any old time, we wish you good luck and lots of good cheer. We all raise our glasses and say RIP Al, you deserve it. Albert will be missed by all.
Albert is survived by his brother, David Costa, and sister-in-law, Margaret Perez-costa; daughters, Carsynn Costa, Aimee Schmitz and Michelle Figueroa; close friends Dr. Victoria Bloom, PH.D, Lynn Blake, Tina Graham, Andrew Springer and Frank Smart (veterans advocate) and many fellow veterans.
Albert is preceded in death by his father, Alberto Torres Figueroa, mother, Elvira Perez Cortez, and daughter Marcy Giles.
Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is entrusted with cremation arrangements. No viewing or service is scheduled at this time.
Tomara Ann Light 1970 — 2023
Lifetime Tuolumne County resident Tomara Ann Light, 53, passed away on Dec. 21 in Chinese Camp, California. She was born to Thomas Light Sr. and Angelina “Angie” Kelley at Tuolumne General Hospital on Sept. 5, 1970.
Tomara was a compassionate soul, known for her warm spirit, kind heart and complete generosity. Tomara’s ability to seamlessly empathize and connect with others made her a cherished friend to many. She brought beauty, love and light to every space she entered and will be greatly missed.
Tomara had a strong work ethic, always taking pride in serving her community in the numerous positions she occupied throughout her lifetime. Tomara spent many years working as a housekeeper for Tuolumne County, ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of multiple buildings, including the Tuolumne General Hospital, the Tuolumne County Library and the old courthouse. She also served as the dental office manager for the M.A.C.T. Dental clinic in Tuolumne, helping patients access the treatments they needed.
Tomara most recently worked as a surveillance agent at Chicken Ranch Casino before taking care of her father in his final years.
Tomara loved her family dearly, cherishing every moment spent with them. She was incredibly proud of her Me-wuk and Italian heritage and was a wealth of cultural and genealogical knowledge. She had a love for the simple pleasures in life and could often be found tending her houseplants, playing with her beloved pets, or cruising the backroads singing along to her favorite songs.
Despite her premature departure, the legacy of compassion and love she leaves behind will continue to illuminate the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her. May she find and rest in eternal peace, reunited with her parents once more.
She is survived by her two daughters, Angie Hyde and Taylor Hendricks, and longtime devoted partner Darrell Hendricks Sr.; siblings, Thomas Light Jr., Sandra Amador, Leona Klyn, Cathie Carlson, Jim Kelley, Nancy Crane, and Patricia Hallett; and many nieces and nephews.
Tomara was preceded in death by her mother in 1988, sister Christina Amador in 2009, and her father in 2022.
A celebration of Tomara’s life will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at the Black Oak Casino Hotel conference room. All who loved her are encouraged to attend, please bring a memory to share.
Notices
HEMSTAD — Joanne Bissell Hemstad, 69, of Murphys, died Monday, Jan. 8, at Adventist Health Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Cremation-funeral Home is handling cremation arrangements.
MATUSHEFSKI — Francis “Matt” Stephen Matushefski, 92, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, at his home in Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Cremationfuneral Home is handling arrangements.
WILHITE — A celebration of life for former Sonora resident Ann Freeman Wilhite will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Hughson Samaritan Village, 7700 Fox Road in Hughson. Ms. Wilhite, 105, of Hughson, died Dec. 23 at Hughson Samaritan Village. Cremation is planned, with inurnment in Mt. Shadow Cemetery in Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Cremation-funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Death notices
Death notices inthe Union Democrat are published free of charge.they include the name, age and town of residence of the deceased, the date of death; service information; and memorial contribution information. The deadline is noon the day before publication.