TYRA William D. Tyra III, Col., USMC (Ret.), nickname “Jato,” age 58 of Trumbull, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2010 at St. Vincent Medical Center. Born on December 20, 1951 in Pasadena, Texas, he was a son of Mary Jane Stanton Tyra of San Antonio, Texas, and the late William D. Tyra, Jr. He was currently a pilot for American Airlines and previously served as senior vice president of the Western CT Military Officers Association. Col. Tyra was a member of the Board of Directors of CT Center for Patient Safety, a cause that was close to his heart. Serving 26 years in the USMC, he was a C-130 pilot, Squadron Commander of the VMGR 152 in Okinawa, Japan, and was Group Com-mander of Marine Air Group 41 in Fort Worth, Texas, from which he retired. He enjoyed running, flying and boating, and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys as well as a big supporter of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Col. Trya is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Barbara Provenzano Tyra; his cherished daughter, Ashley Tyra; two brothers, Michael Tyra of Texas, and Marty Tyra of Washington; and a sister, Mary Rose of San Antonio, Texas. He was predeceased by his daughter, Katie Tyra. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 9 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull and at 10 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Monday, February 1, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the CT Center for Patient Safety, P.O. Box 231335, Hartford, CT. For more information or to light a virtual candle, please visit us at
www.abriola.com.