Randolph Matthew

Matthew, Randolph
June 13, 1924 - Mar. 10, 2013
Randolph Matthew, 88, of Venice, FL, died on Mar. 10, 2013. Funeral arrangements by: Ewing Funeral Home.
Randolph "Randy" Matthew, of Venice, Florida died at Venice Hospital on March 10, 2013 of heart and lung failure after vascular surgery. Randy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1924 and lived in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania until relocating to Venice in 1992 with his wife, the former Rita Lewin (1928-2005). Through high school, Randy lived with his parents, Randolph and Emily (Fletcher) in Rosslyn and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania until he joined the Navy in February 1943. In WWII he served in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, the Pacific, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. He retired from the United States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer on March 15, 1963 and worked for the Department of Defense at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, NAS Johnsville, and the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard, all in Pennsylvania and retired from civilian service in 1981. He received a Certificate in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1956.
Randy was known for his ability to tackle any number of projects such as building barns, repairing cars, restoring houses and more. At age 79 he personally installed new laminate floors in his home! He was generous, loved to laugh and sing, and was able to bring peace to contentious situations through his personality and charm. Randy and Rita enjoyed life, traveling much and raising five boys in the process. Randy was also blessed when, in 2006, he met Rachael Wolf of Englewood while they performed volunteer service with Meals on Wheels. They were married in late 2006 with much fanfare given their years. Randy was blessed in his life with two wonderful brides with whom to make life's journey.
Randy is survived by his lovely wife, Rachael, of Venice, his sons Randolph and Richard Matthew of Venice Florida, Dan Matthew of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania and David Matthew of Charlestown, Maryland. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katelyn, Deanna, Christina, Dave, Madeleine, Robert, Randy, and Masha as well as 20 loved grand and great grandchildren by virtue of Rachael. His grandchildren were blessed to know him and he will be remembered lovingly.
A memorial service is planned at Randy and Rachael's Church, Venice Bible Church on March 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm. An internment service with military honors will be held sometime in April at Sarasota National Cemetery with more details to be announced. Donations to the American Lung Association in memory of Randy Matthew are encouraged in lieu of flowers.