Obituary of Matthew J. Odendahl

Matthew J. Odendahl, 50, of the Town of Florida, died surrounded by his loving family at St. Mary's Hospital inpatient hospice, on January 28, 2017. He was born on June 8, 1966 in New Rochelle, New York and raised in Bethlehem, Connecticut, also known as the Christmas Town. He was the son of Barbara (Thomson) Odendahl and William J. Odendahl, Jr. Matt graduated from Nonnewaug High School in Connecticut in 1984 where he was a member of the Math Club and National Honor Society, in addition to the Cross Country and Track Teams. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1989 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mathematics. He was a member of the yearbook club where he, of course, was a photographer. Matt was a brilliant mathematician, and as an adult tutored children of relatives and friends. Matt was most proud of his year spent in Germany from 1989 to 1990 where he worked as a research assistant at Technische Universität Braunschweig. During the year in Germany, Matt learned to read and speak fluent German while working on research for hypersonic space flight. In 1989 Matt also witnessed the wall coming down in Berlin, which was an incredible sight and one he never forgot. While at RPI, Matt became lifelong friends with Devon Shows. Devon provided strength and support to Matt during this last fourteen months for which Matt's family will forever be grateful to him. Matt's first job was at Baskin Robbins warehouse. He loaded trucks with ice cream, working in the freezer. This job paid his way through RPI and was a source of great pride for him. He still has his Baskin Robbins Polo shirt and ball cap. After graduating RPI, Matt went to work for Insurance Services Office, Inc. in downtown Manhattan. It was here that he became lifelong friends with his boss, Nancy Braithwaite. She was a wonderful mentor and friend to him. When Matt relocated to the Amsterdam area in 1997, he worked for PSINET, Inc. until they closed and then began his career at the Farm. At Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, where he worked for 15 years, he had two car pool companions Ken Coyne and Fran Moniz who became great friends. Ken and Fran have helped his family with many issues from the lawn tractor to the computers. At the Farm you are family, and it was true as many of his co-workers kept in touch with him throughout the last fourteen months, providing strength and support. Matt was also a photographer. He never was able to start his business, but photography was more than a hobby, he was a professional photographer. He took many classes and attended many workshops over the years to improve his technique and he knew more about cameras and lighting than anyone else. Matt's favorite hobby was cycling. Matt was a fan of the Tour de France before Lance Armstrong was a household name, and even saw and photographed Greg LeMond racing in France in 1989. Matt believed in giving back to his community and volunteer work was very important to him. He was a member of the Town of Florida Planning Board for almost twelve years; and a member of the Town of Florida Volunteer Fire Department. Matt also volunteered for six years for the Special Olympics New York-Fulton, Montgomery & Hamilton Counties. Matt's most meaningful volunteer work was for Albany Medical Center's NICU. He was a volunteer photographer for the families whose children were in the NICU, who typically do not have an opportunity to have professional photographs of their children. He was also an on-call volunteer in the event a baby was terminal and the family needed pictures. His gentle and non-intrusive nature was perfect for this work and many families were given a gift because of him. Matt also provided many hours volunteering with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with his sons through the Twin Rivers Council Pack 101 and Troop 48. He was extremely proud of his sons' accomplishments and the values they have learned as Scouts. Matt was Cub Master for Pack 101 just before his illness, and had many happy memories working with his brother-in-law, Brent Phetteplace, in organizing events for Scouts. Matt fought a courageous battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The disease ravaged his body, but not his mind or his spirit. He had many people from whom he received strength and support over the last fourteen months, but a special thank you is needed for his donor, his brother, and now true blood brother, William J. Odendahl, III. Bill was truly a hero to our family, and because of his donation our family was able to have a wonderful Christmas on December 25, 2016. We shall be forever grateful to Uncle Bill for this gift. There are just too many thank yous to list, but a special thanks to the Slezak Team, for the Slezak/Odendahl Strong we received. Also thank you to Emily T. Etzkorn, M.D. who provided care for Matt with great kindness and compassion; and to Nancy S. Knudsen, M.D. who not only provided love and care as his sister-in-law, but was instrumental in helping him understand the disease and medical processes involved in his treatment. Matt is survived by his best friend of 27 years, and wife of 19 years, Rebecca A. Slezak; his children, Anthony and Warren; siblings, Barbara A. Moran and her husband, Jack, Susan Long, William J. Odendahl, III, and his wife, Sophia; and Jennifer Pavlov and her husband John; his step-mother, Joyce Odendahl; his mother-in-law, Polly Slezak; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his father-in-law, Anthony N. Slezak, Sr. Matt was a friend to all, and loved spending time with his boys and extended family. He always enjoyed trips to Uncle Andy's on the lake for summer holiday parties, where he was the unofficial life guard watching all the kids swimming down by the dock. He also enjoyed hosting his family for Christmas Eve dinners. Funeral services will be held on Thursday February 2, 2017 at 9:00A.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00A.M. at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, 51 North Pawling St. Hagaman, New York with Father O. Robert DeMartinis as celebrant. Interment will follow immediately in St. Stephen's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday February 1, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam. Memorial donations may be made in Matt's memory to the Epilepsy Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Ronald McDonald House or other charity of your choosing.