Natale Tartamella

Natale John Tartamella, age 96, of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Tartamella was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 19, 1926, to the late John Tartamella and Caterina Ciuffo Tartamella. He attended Brooklyn College, majoring in Chemistry, for ½ a semester, then he was drafted into the Army. He was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army, serving from August 1944 to June 1946. He served in the European Theatre for 18 months as a Rifleman, Librarian, Messenger Dispatcher, Military Policeman and Mail Orderly. He was Honorably discharged in 1946 in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was awarded the E-AM-E Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.  Following his discharge, he attended Kansas State University, earning his master’s degree in Paleontology. After he earned his degree, he worked for Chevron Oil Company in Texas and Louisiana and retired after 30 years.

Mr. Tartamella was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and of the Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed cooking, drawing, collector of classical music & Broadway shows & plays.

Mr. Tartamella was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Annie B. Palumbo Tartamella; and his son, John S. Tartamella.  Survivors include his daughter, Catherine M. Tartamella Drube and her husband, Randy E. Drube; his sister, Nina Tartamella Kolhmorgen and her husband, William “Bill” Kolhmorgen; his grandchildren, Nathan R. Drube and wife Laura Fonseca Drube, Avery (Mark) Drube and Caleb E. Drube; and great-grandchildren, Kenzie Holly and Beckham Drube.

Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m., with the service following at 10:00 a.m.  He will then be laid to rest at New Palestine Cemetery in Picayune, with honors rendered by the U.S. Army.

In lieu of flowers, he requested donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gulfport, MS.

“I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,

Of happy memories that I leave, when life is done.” –Carol Mirkel