Arthur "Art" Matzel

Arthur (Art) Matzel passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family at his home in Florida on September 3, 2026, after 87 years of living a truly blessed life. During a very brief battle with cancer, Art always kept his positive attitude, good humor, and immense gratitude for his family, friends, and in his words, "my wonderful life.”

Born in Glendale, Queens, in 1939, Art was an adventurer from an early age, leaving high school and foregoing a college basketball scholarship to join the US Army in 1957. He proudly served for two years in Germany, where he developed a lasting appreciation for German beer and travel. After returning to the US as a Private 1st Class, he began his career which centered on public service and entrepreneurship. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at John Jay College and served as both a Police Officer and Firefighter in New York City. Tales of driving an Army Jeep around Germany, patrolling the streets in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and fighting fires across the Bronx are legendary among his family and friends, and treasured memories for his four grandkids. Following a well-earned retirement from the Fire Department as a Lieutenant at age 42, Art engaged in a series of successful businesses including a Carvel Ice Cream franchise in New City, NY, a Coca-Cola route, and a service station on the Palisades Parkway. For him, work was always second to being a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Art and his wife, Pat, were a fun-loving couple from the start and, throughout 62 years of marriage, created an abundance of joyful memories. As newlyweds, Art drove his bride across Europe in a VW Bug, which kicked off a journey to see the world together. He was a lively companion on countless trips with family and friends. Attending five Super Bowls with his best friends was an experience that he often recalled with a lot of laughs. He encouraged his two daughters to experience new things on innumerable family trips around the globe, and recently said his favorite trip was to Costa Rica because it included the entire family which he considered a great blessing in his life. Art was also an avid poker player who never missed an opportunity to sit at a table, including on cruise ships and at his neighborhood poker night, where he even won a tournament or two. Fortunately, he stayed active until the very end, recently traveling to Boston with Pat to enjoy time with their daughters and grandkids.

Art is survived by his wife Pat (LaVecchia) Matzel, daughters Chris Verbraska and her husband Dave (Sarasota, FL) and Maria Zaklin (Swampscott, MA), and grandchildren Amanda, Evan, Eli and Jaz. He cherished his grandkids, who hold lasting memories of their grandpa's encouragement of them in sports, school, and life. He was both their biggest fan and a true role model, showing them what it means to be a good man. His genuine warmth, easy smile, and humor are already deeply missed. These traits, along with a strong work ethic and appreciation of life’s simple pleasures, are Art's priceless legacy.

A celebration of his life will be held in the metro-New York area this fall; details to be shared shortly. In memory of him and the way he lived, the family encourages you to spend an evening playing cards, sharing great food and wine, or simply appreciating all the good people in your lives.