Obituary of Rowland E. Matthews

Rowland "Bill" Ernest Matthews, 96, went to be with his Lord on May 23, 2013 at Ira Davenport Hospital in Bath, NY, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 13, 1916 in Hallstead, PA to Ernest and Belle (Terboss) Matthews. Bill grew up in Cameron, NY. He graduated in 1934 from Addison H.S. where he was a star baseball player. After high school, he began his lifelong career working for Erie Lackawanna Railroad as a telegrapher. He was especially passionate about protecting workers' rights and was elected General Chairman for the Order of Railroad Telegraphers (TCU), retiring in 1975 after 40 years of service. He married Evelyn Longwell of Bath, NY on October 13, 1940 in Hamburg, NY. They were longtime residents of Bath where they raised three daughters. Bill believed in living life to the fullest. He was an avid gardener, sportsman, and athlete, water skiing until the age of 85. He was a member of the Bath Rod & Gun Club and First Presbyterian Church of Bath and especially enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing duplicate bridge. Bill and Evelyn loved spending winters in Peace River, FL and summers with family at their cottage on Keuka Lake. He was a lifelong Democrat and wrote many letters expressing his concerns about politics, the preservation of the environment, and the health and welfare of people everywhere. He was very devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of over 72 years, Evelyn; daughters Linda (Bob) Tetor of Bath, NY; Laurie (Jim) Grimes of North Ridgeville, OH; and Deb (Paul) Picciano of Canton, CT; grandchildren Mike Robinson, Jennie (Tom) Haischer; Steve Grimes, Jeff (Erin) Grimes; Joanna (Paul) Bodmann; Erica Picciano and Alex Picciano; and great granddaughters Makayla Haischer and Jillian Bodmann. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Margaret Lewis and Aileen Hill and brothers Ellsworth and Ernest Matthews and his stepmother Fannie Matthews. Calling hours will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 12 to 2 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at Fagan’s Funeral Home, West Morris Street, Bath, NY. Burial will be in Nondaga Cemetery, Bath. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Bill’s name to the Steuben Senior Services Fund, Inc., 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810 or Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, P.O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240.