Andrew Joseph Matus (1906 ~ 2008)

Sat Nam Everyone,

I have been gone from my blog for a bit as I have been busy with treatments, commitments and unexpected travel.

This past week we tended to the passing of my grandfather, Andy Matus. He was 101 yrs, 8 months and 25 days old. He obviously lived a very long and full life. Papa was born May 5, 1906 in Mc Keesport, Pennsylvania. He was of Austrian origin, whose parents had recently come over from the “old country”. Papa married Nana, Clotilda Laura Costa, known as “Tillie” in his twenties and they had five children, 4 daughters and 1 son, all raised between Hollister, San Juan Baptista and Watsonville/Santa Cruz, California. I am the oldest child of his second daughter, Patty.
Papa drove heavy equipment for a construction company and was an avid gardener. He was often to be found outside tending to his garden and home. He had a rich sound to his voice whether talking or singing and it is what sits in my heart the most about him. Papa was a devout Catholic, an ardent prayer of the Rosary, and in utter devotion to the Virgin Mary. While growing up there were three things to understand about him… never discuss religion, politics or the union. Papa was intensely passionate about all of them and even as a child I was quite aware to do so was treading on less than shaky ground.

In the last day before he passed, he told my mother and I, he had seen Nana, his parents and angels, as they were coming nearer, but he had not seen Jesus yet. He said he was waiting to see Jesus. At 6:08 a.m. January 25, 2008 his spirit released. May he continue his journey upon his soul path and be seen again in the twinkling eyes and bright smile of a child.

*Above Picture: My grandfather, Andy Matus and my mother and father, Dean and Patty Larkin.