Farmington Obituary: Theodore Matthews, Jr., 85

Theodore “Bunky” or “Ted” Rothgary Matthews Jr., 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 18, 2018.

Ted was born on October 3, 1932 in Hartford to Theodore and Cora (Eukers) Matthews. On September 1, 1952 he married the late Lorraine Marie Hospod, who always referred to him as “Theo”. Ted began his career at Pratt & Whitney, Small Tool Division, in West Hartford. In 1957 Ted was transferred to Pittsford, NY to establish a Grinding Service.

He returned to Pratt & Whitney in West Hartford in 1965 and was the Director of Manufacturing when he left in 1978 to establish M&M Manufacturing along with Roger Montovani. Shortly after this, he and Ken Swanson opened Anderson Specialty Company until Ted’s retirement in 2008.

Ted enjoyed many hobbies in his lifetime. He was a private pilot and owned a number of planes including an Ercoupe and a Champ. He was an avid reader and had a passion for learning, attending Rochester Institute of Technology and taking courses at The University of Connecticut. He also enjoyed playing billiards, always looking forward to his Wednesday night games with his close buddies.

Ted took great pleasure in golfing and served as Golf Chairman at Farmington Country Club. Ted was a loving and generous father to his daughters and grand-children, always willing to help out, including many home improvement projects.

Ted is survived by his daughters, Carol Ciolino and her husband John, Deborah Johnson and her husband Joseph, and Denise Gloekler. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Matthews-Ritz and her husband David; son-in-law Ronald Cylkowski and his wife Anne; grandchildren Elizabeth Ciolino, Joseph Johnson, Jillian Crawford, Jessica Cybulski-Zelek, Rachel Marden, Matthew Gloekler, Melissa Gloekler, Nicole Cylkowski, and Thomas Cylkowski; his great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Camryn, Owen, Mason, Emilia and Dorothy; a special friend Pat Fawcett; and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, daughter Laurie, grandson Ronald, and sister Barbara Gouin.

Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rte. 4, Unionville, on Saturday, March 3 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. The funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy at Church of Saint Patrick, 110 Main Street, Farmington, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104 or Donate Life America, 701 East Byrd Street, 16th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.