Mace Lorraine Pecora

In Memory of
Mace L. Pecora
May 3, 1930 – July 1, 2020

Mace L. Pecora, 90, of Boise Idaho, “graduated with longevity and resolute” from this earthly life’s journey and went home to his Heavenly Father on July 1st, 2020.
Mace was born at St. Lukes in Boise Idaho on May 3, 1930, to Lorraine and Margret (Mace) Pecora. He was raised in Boise for most of his early life where he enjoyed working with his father at the Pecora Brother’s Auto Shop repairing and painting cars. He carried an interest in cars maintaining and preserving them throughout his life. With a musical mother, Mace also learned in his early years to play several instruments, including the clarinet, trumpet and trombone. His true passion and success were ultimately in learning to fly planes and becoming an airline pilot and eventually a captain.
1948 was a memorable and eventful year for Mace. He became an older brother at age 18 to his only sibling, Tom. He also graduated from Boise High School and shortly thereafter married Lucille Mathews. They had two children; Steve and Jan, later divorced.
In 1950, He worked for Empire Airlines as a steward and on occasion as an agent. One year later, in 1951, he got his pilot’s license and became a commercial airline pilot for Empire Airlines. His accomplished career included being the first West Coast pilot to transport US mail from Great Falls Montana to Spokane WA. He was an excellent teacher who also trained pilots in the late 60’s. Empire Airlines went through several merges over the years, which included West Coast, Air West, Hughes Air West, Republic, and finally Northwest as the last airline he worked for before retiring 34 years later in 1985.
Mace was an exceptional and well-respected airline captain that had the highest priority of always keeping his crew and passengers throughout his career safe and sound. It was no surprise that his motto was: “If I get there safe, then so does everyone else”.
Mace carried those attributes of concern and safety into his family and was a “true provider” having had much success in being able to provide well for his family. He loved all his children: Steve (Teresa), Jan (Ron), Rene’e (Kurt), Marlo (Ben), Tammy (Lance), and stepson Don (Diana). He was proud to have been a Grandpa to 15 grandchildren, 12 Great grandchildren, and 1 Great-Great grandchild.
Mace loved his wife Lyla Jean (Bailey) Pecora of 55 years, of whom he married in Seattle in 1965. They had three daughters: Rene’e, Marlo and Tammy. In 1993 he returned with Lyla Jean back to his family home in Boise where he lived out the rest of his years.
For anyone who really knew Mace, knew he was a tough cookie on the outside, but would find when it came right down to it, that he was a soft hearted and concerned man who cared about so many.
Mace is survived by; his wife Lyla Jean, of 55 years, his brother Tom, all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great - great grandchild and countless cousins. He is preceded by his parents; Lorraine (Edith) Pecora and Margaret (Don) Crass.