BANGOR and WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – Paul Leo Matte, 72, formerly of Bangor, died Aug. 19, 2010, in Wesley Chapel, Fla., after a courageous battle with cancer. Paul was born Feb. 10, 1938, in Lowell, Mass., to George and Yvonne (Bellemare) Matte. Mr. Matte served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Bangor, where he met his wife of 51 years, Cecelia Anne (Kelleher). He graduated from the New England Institute of Mortuary Science and then worked with his father-in-law for 14 years at Kelleher’s Funeral Home, Bangor. He retired in January 1998 from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Portland, with 30 years of service. After spending several winters in Florida, he relocated to Wesley Chapel, Fla., five years ago. Paul was a devout Catholic and member of Knights of Columbus, Bangor, for a number of years. He was an avid sports fan, always following his Boston teams: the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots. He also enjoyed playing and watching golf and in the last few years, fishing with his sister, Dot and her husband, Paul. Above all he was a devoted husband, father and pepere. His winning smile, sense of humor and soft heart will always be remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Anne; and three daughters, Lisa Nicholson and her husband, Bruce, of Saint John, New Brunswick, Sharon Pinette and her husband, Dave, of Raleigh, N.C., and Paula Matte and her husband, Ross Eastwood, of Charleston, S.C.; five grandchildren, Matthew, Ryan and Emily Nicholson and Brandon and Alison Pinette; five brothers, Maurice, Donald and his wife, Lorraine, Roland and his wife, Susan, Renee and his wife, Nadine, and Denis and his wife, Carole; and three sisters, Helen Rondeau, Mildred Racette and Doris Robert and her husband, Paul; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Thomas; two brothers, Roger and Gerald; and a sister, Georgette. Family and friends may visit 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ohio Street, Bangor. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be immediately afterward in the parish center. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to HPH Hospice, 37445 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525-5906 or American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer Research. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
PAUL L. MATTE
