Obituary of Karl J. Matt
Karl J. Matt, 84, of Lee Center passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Upstate Hospital in Syracuse. He was born in Rome on March 11, 1939, the son of the late Martin Simon and Sarah Kane Matt. On September 3, 1966, he married Audrey H. Weiler in St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center.
Karl grew up on his family’s farm in Lee Center, and raised all 6 of his children there as well. He worked as an Ironworker with Local 440, and was a successful corporate sales manager with Patz Farm Equipment. Later in life he shifted to Insurance Sales with MetLife. From 1971-1973 he served as Fire Chief with Lee Center Volunteer Fire Department and remained on the Board of Directors for several years. Karl served the Town of Lee as Highway Superintendent from 2006-2009, and has been an active Councilman for the town for over 30 years. There are few places in Lee that do not have a part of Karl’s hands in them. He was a member of the Little Roaring Brook Hunting Club and took great joy in spending time in his old stomping grounds in West Leyden, West Branch, and Osceola.
Though a man of few words, Karl was full of wisdom, ingenuity, creativity, and a logistical wiz. He would share everything he knew with anyone who took the time to listen. He was as good a businessman, as he was a farmer, but excelled at taking care of those that he loved, especially his loving wife of 56 years Audrey.
Surviving along with his wife, are 4 daughters, Lorrie (Bob) Gorman of Durhamville, Charleen (Len) Davis of Liberty, JoAnn (Walter) Hunt of Lee Center, and Deanna (Tim) Kotary of Oriskany Falls; 2 sons Wayne Matt of Lee Center, and Eric (Anna) Matt of Lee Center; a sister Rose Marie (Walter) Gregorwich of CA; 2 brothers Alan (Nancy) Matt of CA; Vincent (Bobbi) Matt of WA; 15 grandchildren Tyson (Joy) Gorman, Caitlin (Andy) Friebel, Molly (Andrew) Roberts, MacKenzie (Michael) Giannico, Aubrey (Dan) Slator, Cavan (Kelsey) Gorman, Shawlee Gorman, Deidree Davis, Karlayna Davis, Piper Davis, Travis Matt, Sarah Matt, Mattison Hunt, Max Hunt; 9 great grandchildren and 2 on the way, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by brothers Leo, Paul, Theodore, Thomas, and Frank; great grandson Jeremiah; daughter-in-law Dana Matt; and his beloved grandson Ryan “Ryano” Matt.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM, at St. Joseph’s Church, in Lee Center. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Karl’s memory to the Matt Tree Farm c/o JoAnn Hunt, 9214 Skinner Rd., Lee Center, NY 13363; and the Lee Center Volunteer Fire Department.
The Matt Tree Farm was started by Karl, his brothers, and sister in memory of their parents, for the education of future generations. The Matt family has planted over 25,000 trees since its inception, and has been Karl’s, and all the Matt Family’s, greatest legacy. “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb