Obituary of Robert J. Matsen

Robert (Bob) J. Matsen, 83, of Hastings-on-Hudson passed away Friday, July 1st. Bob was the beloved husband for 46 years of Vera; the treasured father of Philip (Maura), Jean (David Piccorelli), and Matthew (Stephanie), and the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Lorraine, Justin, Katherine, Fiona, Leo, Kyle, Christa, and Maggie. He is also survived by his brother John Matsen (Alice) of Alpharetta, Georgia and his cousin Clare Genzlinger of Jersey City, New Jersey. Bob was born in New York City on September 5, 1927 to Jane (Genzlinger) and Walter Matsen. He attended Simon Stock Elementary School and Cardinal Hayes High School. After serving in the army during WWII (he received the American Theatre Ribbon and the WWII Victory Medal), he attended Manhattan College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He then did post graduate work in accounting at the Graduate School of Business at New York University. His first job was with Eversharp, Inc. In 1953, Bob went to work for the engineering company Stone and Webster in its New York City office. He spent over four decades with Stone and Webster working first as an accountant, then later as accounting manager. Among his many interests were model railroading (his children and grandchildren can remember many happy hours with his trains and was fondly called Pop-Pop Train), photography, traveling, art, the theatre, gardening (he was especially proud of his roses), the Civil War, reading, and his family. He was a quiet man who deeply loved his wife and family. With a Monsignor as an uncle and a cousin as a parish priest, Bob's deep faith in God was only made stronger. He looked forward to the weekly visits by his parish priest, Father Tim, and Deacon Troy. It was that faith with the help of his devoted doctor, Elio Ippolito, and the great sacrifices of his wife Vera, that helped him through his long illness. The family will receive visitors on Monday, July 4th, 2-4:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. at the Hastings Funeral Home located at 15 Spring Street in Hastings-on-Hudson. The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, July 5th at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church located at 17 Broadway in Dobbs Ferry. The mass will be said by the pastor, Father Timothy Scannell. Interment will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sacred Heart Church or the American Diabetes Association.