Matthias Norman Wittenbauer

Beloved husband of Helen (McPartland) with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Loving father of six children: Erin Consolver and husband, Don, of Valrico, FL; Mark Wittenbauer and wife, Elaine, of Sioux Falls, SD; John Wittenbauer and wife, Brenda, of Edison, NJ; Lauren Gentile and husband Daniel of Lynnfield, MA; Jennifer Zack and husband, Paul, of Tampa, FL; and David Wittenbauer and wife, Laura, of Venice, FL. Dear brother of Caroline Swanson and husband Martin of Englewood, FL and Harold Wittenbauer of Pinellas Park, FL. Matt was preceded in death by his sister Helen Anne and brother William, both of St. Petersburg, FL. He was the son of the late Helen and Matthias J Wittenbauer of St. Petersburg.

Cherished grandfather of Ryan Consolver, Kayla and husband Carl Wynn; Katrina, Kyle, and Karly Wittenbauer; Michael and David Gentile; Taylor, Ashley, and Callie Zack; Riannon, Braydon, and Liam Wittenbauer. Great Grandfather of Finley Wynn.

Matt was born in New Bedford, MA and graduated in 1954 from Dwight Morrow HS in NJ. He served in the Naval Reserves and was a graduate of Fordham University; he enjoyed a career in sales management with Lever Brothers and AAA Auto Club South.

Matt was a devoted Catholic and taught religious classes, helped at the food pantry, and served his parish as a homebound Eucharistic minister. He started the “Across the Barren Desert” group to help people find employment after a layoff.

Matt’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed tennis, boating, 500 Rummy, and playing chess and fishing with his grandchildren.

We will celebrate Matt’s life at a mass on Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 am at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E Brandon Blvd in Brandon, FL. A reception will follow at the home of Erin and Don Consolver in Valrico.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Mass cards in Matt’s memory.