Donald Lester Mattes

DONALD LESTER MATTES 77, a gentleman, died peacefully at Casa De La Luz Hospice House in Tucson,AZ on April 21,2012 having spent his final days in the company of family and friends. Though diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma over nine years ago, Don continued to enjoy life. Born December 10.1934 in Queens, NY, the only child of Oscar and Evelyn Mattes, Don grew up on Long Island, NY amongst extended family. An avid lifelong learner, Don started his higher education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying engineering and got his BA degree in English from Wesleyan University. Don had a long and successful career of thirty years as a Principal at Towers Perrin (TPF&C) in Philadelphia,PA managing the largest actuarial unit in the global consulting firm. A colleague said Don was "respected, admired and liked for his professional skill, good sense and personal warmth. It was a privilege to know him." Don was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Bradbury of Greenwich,CT. He is survived by their five children, Bradbury Mattes (wife Kate Edmonds)of Westchester,PA, Melissa Mattes(husband Hector Sapiens ) of Sedgwich, ME, Mathew Mattes of Deer Isle, ME, Peter Mattes of Ashville, NC, and Julie Mattes of Sedgwich, ME. He retired to Sedgwich,ME in 1996. Don was an outdoor enthusiast - playing tennis, hiking, sailing and gardening. He had a warm spirit and love of adventure including travel to Florence,Italy to study Italian and art history. In 2002 he met Patricia Donahue playing tennis on Deer Isle. They married in 2007 on their deck in Deer Isle, ME. Together they embarked on many travels and spiritual adventures. Seven years ago, they moved to Tucson where Don loved taking road trips and exploring the beauty of his new home state. He embraced life in Tucson: UofA baskeball , Tucson Symphony, Sabino Canyon, Centennial Hall and literature classes with Bill Frye at the Learning Curve. He was beloved "Norte" to twelve grandchildren: Gavin and Austin Sapiens, Philomena and Oskar Mattes, Raphael Mattes, Colin and Annie Maslan, Zach, Nick, Eli and Kate Breed and Aiden Trumbo. Don also leaves behind a loving and cherished network of friends in both Maine and Tucson. He was a good man of unwavering integrity and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. We are grateful for the compassionate care Don received from Casa De La Luz Hospice. A memorial service will be held at St. Philip's in the Hills in Tucson on April 30,2012 at 11am. Memorial contributions may be made to Casa de la Luz Foundation,Tucson.