Jacques I. Matta

Jacques I. Matta, age 89, of Syracuse, passed to the afterlife on Monday, April 28, 2025. He went to University at the young age of 23 with dreams of being a scientist. He became the Head of a biochemical laboratory in a government hospital overseas. His first wife was an RN, and together they had one daughter, Dalia. They divorced after four years of marriage. Jacques’ second wife was a Medical Doctor, and the mother of his son, Gabriel. They were married for nine years. His third wife was a 30 year old American Businesswoman. They were married for seven years and adopted three girls aged: nine, eight and six years old. They stayed on good terms after their divorce when the girls were teenagers. He visited them often, and was able to see the girls get married and have families of their own.

Jacques roamed the deserts of the Middle East, ending in Sharm-El-Sheikh, at the top of the Sinai Peninsula. It was June 1971, and he stayed for one night, amongst the other hundred tents in view. He continued through the barren desert between sand dunes, visited empty fishing villages, and stayed at a Bedouin camp. This was followed by a bus trip to Santa Katrina Monastery, and a visit with his girls, and ex-wife, Eileen. At 4:30 in the morning, they rode camels through the desert until they reached a staircase, and sat and watched the sunrise together, over the Sinai Mountains. While driving through the Mitla Pass they saw mounds of boots left from Egyptian soldiers during the Six Day War. They drove through El Arish, Gaza, and back home to Jaffa. When Jacques came back to the U.S., he bought a house, obtained his Tractor Trailer license, and drove for a trucking company in Massachusetts.

It was during a visit to Syracuse to see his beloved sister, Hyam, and niece Doris, that Jacques met his beautiful wife, Sharon. She was a model and an artist with enormous talent. She had a studio in their large apartment, and would exhibit her work at the State Fair, where she won many times over. She painted in oils, acrylics, egg Tempra, pastels, and black Chiaroscuro. Sharon was also a superb chef and loved to cook for the family. Around 1978, Jacques became a used car salesman, and the General Manager of Donoghue Chrysler Plymouth and Sam Dell Dodge. Sharon later died at home of breast cancer, at the young age of 53. She was a precious woman who is sorely missed. Together they had one daughter,

Viki; who is very independent and capable woman. She is direct, and committed to doing the best. Viki currently works as a Deputy Commissioner of Finance at the City of Syracuse.

Jacques is survived by his sister Hyam Habayeb and daughters Viki Voss, Dalia Aghalaran, son Gabriel Shoham, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Francis House or Loretto, both of whom provided great care for him at the end of his life.

At Jacques’ request there will no funeral service, instead a Memorial Service will be held at his sister’s house June 6th 4 to 7pm on what would have been his 90th birthday.