James J. Matulis

James Joseph Matulis, beloved husband, loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed unexpectedly at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, on February 9, 2013. Born December 21, 1958, he spent his childhood years living in New Britain then as an adult moved to Berlin. He is predeceased by his father, James Matulis, his maternal grandparents, Michael and Mary (Koval) Gimma, and his paternal grandfather, Frank Morelli. He is survived by his devoted wife, Irene (Herrera) Matulis, his loving daughters Laurelin Matulis and Sarah Matulis both of Berlin; mother Joan (Gimma) Matulis of New Britain; sisters Gwendolyn Bouras and brother-in-law Nicholas of Unionville, Catherine Matulis of East Hartford, and Christine Steward of Anchorage, Alaska; paternal grandmother Helen (Benn) Morelli of Old Saybrook; aunts Christine (Matulis) Shaw and uncle Richard of Old Saybrook, aunt Mary Jane (Gimma) Descoteaux and uncle Mark of New Britain; aunt Elizabeth Uchalik and uncle Michael of Rocky Hill; and uncle Glenn Morelli of Old Saybrook. He also leaves brother-in-law James Herrera and sister-in-law Irene of Avon; nieces Vasiliki Bouras of Winsted, Maureen Herrera of Avon, Alexandria Bouras of Unionville, and nephew George Bouras of Unionville.

He graduated New Britain High School in 1977, Divers Institute of Technology, Seattle, Washington, 1981; and Hartford State Technical College, Hartford, in 1986.

Jim began his work career with Underwater Construction, Essex, as a diver working on structures below the water. In 1986 he joined the Connecticut Department of Transportation, most recently as a Bridge Engineer, shifting his attention to structures above the water.

An avid diver Jim is a past president of the Gillmen Dive Club and more recently Vice-President of the Innerspace Explorers. His diving took him on many travels throughout the United States, Caribbean and South Pacific where his other great interest of photography flourished. His pictures are published in several books relating to underwater life. Besides a diver and photographer Jim was a bicycling enthusiast, loved to run, golf, spend sunny weekends on his boat, and spend time with his family and golden retriever Sam. In his spare time he served on the Berlin Conservation Commission.

Calling hours will be on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a Memorial service at 1:00 pm at the New Britain Memorial Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, with family and friends sharing special memories at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date. To share a memory with the family please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com.