Obituary of James O. Matzat

Jim was born May 23, 1928, in Niagara Falls, Canada, the oldest child of Otto and Lila Matzat. He graduated from Edison Technical and Industrial High School in Rochester in 1947. Jim served in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman from 1950 - 1952 during the Korean War and then transferred to the Army Reserve until he was discharged in 1956. He met Wava Griffiths on a blind date and they married on Sept. 7th, 1957 in Washington Mills, NY. They settled in Fairport and had four children, Tom, Sue, Ann, and Jim. Family and extended family were a huge part of Jim's life. Jim attended RIT and worked as a lithographer at the Genesee Electrotype and Engraving Company and Genesee Rochester Printing Plates, Inc. before becoming Vice-President of Lithochrome Corporation. In 1968, Jim and his family moved to Mendon. They enjoyed horses, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, a huge garden, and, of course, dogs. Jim was a life-long dog lover. In 1987, Jim and Wava moved to Seneca Lake, where he pursued longtime hobbies including fishing, hunting, woodworking, and anything outdoors-related. He and Wava were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Penn Yan. Jim also volunteered in the Emergency Department and Dental Offices at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital. Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Wava M. Matzat, and children: Thomas J. (Janita) Matzat of El Dorado Hills, CA, Susan E. Nickles (Paul) of Webster, NY, Ann M. (Mike) Zimmerman of Williamsville, NY and James W. (Sue) Matzat of Rochester, NY., grandchildren: Thomas, Stephen, Alex, Jessica, Mike, Katherine, Matthew, Lea, and Lindsey, two great-grandchildren: Marziah & Asiyah, sister: L. Margorie Buck of Katy, TX, sister-in-law: Joyce Endres of Rome, NY, and nieces: Karen Endres of Rome, NY, Barbara Retzloff of Houston, TX, Cheryl Shafer of Richmond, TX, and Joan Jenkinson of Waller, TX. Friends and family may call from 10 - 11 AM on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church, 211 Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527. Jim's funeral service and reception will follow at 11 AM. Burial with Military Honors will be at Grove Mount Cemetery in Himrod, NY at 2 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Penn Yan or the charity of your choice.