Obituary of Richard J. Matusiak

Richard Matusiak 1939 - 2018 New York Mills Richard J. Matusiak, 78, a longtime New York Mills resident passed away on Sunday February 11, 2018 after a brief illness at the Heritage Health Care Center. He was born in Utica on April 26, 1939 the son of John and Mary Hanus Matusiak and attended Utica Schools and graduated from M.V.T.I. He was married to Jean Presnal on January 25, 1964 in Holy Trinity Church, Utica; a loving union shared for 54 years. Rich served with the New York Air National Guard. He was employed with the General Electric Co. as a designer for over 37 years until his retirement in 1994. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. Rich had a passion for music, especially Polish music having entertained as a trumpet player with the Knights of Melody and the Warsaw Express, as well as others since he was 12 years old. His survivors include his beloved wife Jean of New York Mills, his three children and their spouses, Deborah and Raymond Houle of Utica, Karen and Michael Griffin of Webster, NY and Richard and Debra Matusiak of Watertown; his seven grandchildren, Raymond (Megan) Houle of Rome, Jessica Houle of Marcy, Nicholas ( Meagan) Houle of Ilion, Jarod and Jocelyn Matusiak both of Watertown, Jacob and Anna Griffin both of Webster; a sister Helen Hadynski of New York Mills and his in-laws Barbara and Roger Dziegiel of Whitesboro and John and Nancy Presnal of WA. Also included are his Godchild Cynthia McNicholl of Whitesboro and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his grandchildren Nathan Griffin and Ainslee Matusiak, his parents and his in-laws John and Mary Presnal. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30 at Holy Trinity Church. Those that wish may call on Wednesday from 5 until 8p.m. the Kowalczyk Funeral Home, 284 Main Street New York Mills. Burial with Military Honors will take place in Holy Trinity Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Holy Trinity Church, 1206 Lincoln Avenue, Utica, NY 13502. Light a Candle at: www.kowalczykfuneralhomes.com