Obituary of Thalen L. Matice

Mr. Thalen L. Matice, 88, formerly of Latimer Hill Road, Ames, NY died peacefully on Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Palatine Nursing Home following a long illness. Born on May 23, 1922 in the Town of Root he was the only son of the late Leland J. and Ena Mae Wells Matice. A lifelong area resident, Thalen was a 1940 graduate of Canajoharie High School. He dedicated his life to public service in many capacities throughout his life time. For over 40 years he was employed by the Town of Canajoharie Highway Department. For 26 years, he served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office; and lastly, he was a 52 year member of the Ames Volunteer Fire Department where he held many offices including the office of Fire Chief. Above all he loved his family dearly; he will be sadly missed by all who knew him Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Hilda Mosher Matice; one daughter, Kathy Matice and her husband Steffen U. Low of Los Altos, CA; two grandchildren, Elliot Andrew Matice Low and Kelsey Katherine Matice Low; and one cousin, William Wells of Canajoharie, NY. The Mass of Christian will be offered on Wednesday, March 2, 2011at 10 o'clock at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY with the Rev. Dennis Murphy as celebrant. Interment will take place at a later date in St. Peter's & Paul's Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 4 until 6p.m. at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice or to the Ames Volunteer Fire Department.