May 30, 1926 – April 26, 2006
John Matas passed peacefully in his sleep April 26, 2006, in Pleasant Hill. John was born in San Francisco to John and Carnation Matas. He lived there with his two sisters and brother until he joined the Merchant Marines in 1944, where he had the chance to sail all over the world. He was honorably discharged in 1949 and established himself in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of his life.
John had a wonderful heart for people, enjoyed laughing, telling a good joke and was an excellent storyteller. John had an eye for collectibles and especially enjoyed old radios. He was gifted at using his hands. He worked in appliance repair, did handyman work, could repair or remodel anything around the house, repaired and restored cars, tried his hand at owning a Lapidary shop, and spent some time working at a ranch for troubled youth.
He had a passion for the less fortunate and spent many years working with the men from Alcoholics Anonymous.
John was proud of his Spanish heritage and loved using his first language, Spanish, with just about anyone he could strike up a conversation with.
He was a believer in Jesus Christ, and is now home and at rest with his Lord.
He is survived by five children, Sue (Paul) Gates, and Janie (Mike) Sheedy of Walnut Creek; Dave (Meike) Matas of Livermore, Greg (Debbie) Matas of Modesto and Steve (Dana) Matas of Carlsbad; 10 grandchildren, Jason, Kristen, Erin, Aimee, Jessica, Katie, Danny, Megan, Lauren and Kendal; brother, Frank?(Lee) Matas; sister, Isabel (Bill) Esparza; niece, Maryanne Specht, along with many more nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Aguilar and grandsons, Michael, Nathaniel, David and Stephen.
Family and friends are invited to attend a service in celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Friday, May 5 at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 1625 High St. Lakeport.
For further information call (707)263-0357 or (707)994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Please sign the guestbook at www.record-bee.com, click on obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Tuesday, May 2, 2006.)
