MATTHEW PROVENZANO

MATTHEW PROVENZANO passed away on the 22nd of July 2010 in Houston, Texas.He was born on the 30th of May 1934, to Philip and Mary Ann Provenzano in Houston. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Shirley Deane Provenzano.Undeniably, Matt's greatest pleasures in life revolved around his family. He was very proud of his heritage, and rare was the day that he did not mention his ancestors or his extended family. He traveled to Sicily and traced his roots, down to the last distant relative. Above all, Matt was devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He treasured family dinners every Sunday, and never missed a grandchild event. Matt was a devoted father, whether it was cub master, little league coach, or "Zano the Monster" at the Halloween Festival.He cherished family vacations. With family in tow, Matt never, ever said no to a tour or site. He could drive for 10 hours, and then marvel at the "World's Largest Ball of Yarn". His enthusiasm, and genuine love of family fun, will be painfully missed.Matt was deeply devoted to the Catholic Church. He was a long time member of Saint Cecilia Catholic Community. He was always willing to be of service to his church in any way, and lived his faith every day. He was kind and fair to all, and always saw the good in the darkest days. He was excited about the construction of the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, and was involved with it from the inception to the Mass of Dedication. Matt believed deeply in spreading the message of Jesus. To that end, he contributed beautiful paintings of Jesus, The Divine Mercy, to over 120 churches in the Houston area. His family wishes to thank Diane and Mike Duoto for their unending assistance in helping Matt spread the message of the Divine Mercy.Matt was a native and lifelong resident of Houston. He was raised by his Great Aunt and Uncle, Carrie and Anthony Greco. He attended Austin High School, where he met the true love of his life, Shirley Wilson. Their love would last over 50 years, and they lived an enchanted life together. He was heartbroken when she passed away in 2007, but knew they would be joined together again in an eternal life.Matt graduated with a B.B.A.in accounting from The University of Houston. Matt credited much of his success in life to the University of Houston. He worked passionately and tirelessly to give back to the University that gave him so much. He served as President of the Alumni organization, received the Distinguished Service Award, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award from the Bauer College of Business. It's difficult to describe Matt's fire for the U of H with words and awards. Those in the know would describe him as a "crazed warrior" for the University of Houston. His zeal for everything from the athletic department to the school of business was more than apparent. He will be very hard to replace. After all, "crazed warriors" are in short supply.Matt was a business man, a banker, tax accountant, and radio station owner. He was unfazed by challenges and projects. His first job was a newspaper boy, at the age of 10. He began his professional career at Jefferson Chemical, where his innovative ideas as credit manager led to a front page article about him in the Wall Street Journal. He was only in his twenties. His interest in finance brought him to Texas National Bank of Commerce (later Texas Commerce Bank, and presently Chase Bank) where he served as President of Texas Commerce Medical Bank. He was later Chairman and CEO of Citizen's Bank, and Doctor's Center International Bank. Matt was pioneering and had a knack for making a successful deal. He was greatly respected by everyone who worked with him. Matt also had a tax accounting practice that spanned over fifty years. He was known for working hard for his clients, and driving across town on Saturdays, to their homes, to prepare tax forms. He often performed the services gratis for clients in need. Because of this work ethic, many of his clients stayed with him for his entire career.Matt also loved the radio. In the midst of his professional career, he built an AM radio station from the ground up. He learned the broadcasting business, and made great friends in the broadcasting world. KYND radio station remains operational to this day.He was proudly affiliated with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. He served as a member of the board, and past president, for many years. He used his knowledge of finance and business to help build the center into an organization that serves the largest medical center in the world.Matt's life was filled with love and joy. He spread his optimism and enthusiasm for life to everyone he knew. He will be greatly missed by his surviving family; his son Mark, his wife Shari, and her children Lexi and Rico; his daughter Karen Waltmon, and her husband DeWitt; his grandchildren Emily Strait, and her husband Brian; Luke Provenzano, and Amanda, Matthew, and Austin Waltmon; his brother Frank; his sisters, Rose Mary Witovic, and her husband Bill; Sarah Portele, and her husband Jerry; Carolyn Lorance, and her husband Bob; his sister-in-law Pam Akins, and her husband Marty; his extended family and friends.Honored to serve as pallbearers are his grandchildren: Luke Provenzano, Matthew Waltmon, Austin Waltmon; his grandson-in-law, Brian Strait; and his nephews: Phillip Provenzano, Jerry Portele, and Bobby Lorance.Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 26th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where a vigil service is to commence at seven o'clock in the evening, led by Deacon Don Bradley.The Mass of Christian Burial is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 27th of July, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in Houston, where the Most Reverend Vincent M. Rizzotto, D.D., S.T.L., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston, will serve as celebrant.Rite of Committal will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.Immediately following, all are invited to join the family for a reception at a venue to be announced during the services.