Edward Matthes Jr

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Remembered for his love of the outdoors, Edward A. Matthes Jr., a native Staten Islander and the devoted patriarch of three generations, died Wednesday at his home in Pine Bush, N.Y. His age was 80.

He grew up in Richmond Valley and Pleasant Plains, and attended Tottenville High School. He lived for many years on the Rossville Avenue horse farm known as Quinn's Farm.

Mr. Matthes worked as a welder for several decades in the sheet-metal fabricating division of the former Kirinn company in Tottenville. He then became a tractor operator for the city Department of Sanitation, retiring in 1998.

"He was a loving father and grandfather," said his daughter, Eileen Ray. "He truly loved life - he did not like to sit still, and had to stay busy. He wanted to see the world, and traveled to many places with my mother - Australia, and Alaska, Hawaii, and many other states. He also loved food, especially apple pie."

Mr. Matthes enjoyed country living, hunting, horseback riding, and spending time at the Sundown Rod and Gun Club in the Catskills.

While on the Island, he was a parishioner of St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Rossville. In Pine Bush, he was a communicant of the Church of the Infant Savior.

Mr. Matthes' wife of 51 years, the former Joyce Quinn, died in 2001.

Surviving, in addition to his daughter, Eileen, are his sons, Edward III and Alfred; his daughter, Joyce Tarpey; 10 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Rossville. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: St. Joseph's RC Church-Rossville Wednesday, December 28,2011 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, December 27,2011 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Joseph's RC Church-Rossville