Gerald J. "Gerry" Matthews

Gerald J. "Gerry" Matthews, age 80 of Danbury, previously of Ridgefield and husband of the late Theresa "Sissy" (Moffett) Matthews, died peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, June 19, 2010. Mr. Matthews was born in New York, N.Y., July 29, 1929, the son of the late Frank W. and Bertha (Wolff) Matthews. He attended NY City schools and graduated from Manhattan College. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Matthews' career spanned 45 years as a consumer product sales executive. In the years preceding his retirement, he was employed by the Rayovac Battery Corporation and resided in Madison, Wis.. Prior to this, he was employed by Duracell and lived in Ridgefield with his family. He relocated to Connecticut following retirement in 1999. An avid sports fan,Gerry closely followed the NY Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. He also rooted for all things Wisconsin, including the UW Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He was a member of the Joseph A. Treadwell Post, American Legion of Danbury, the Knights of Columbus of Haverstraw, NY. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Ridgefield. He is survived by two sons, Gerald J. Matthews Jr., MD and his wife, Ellen of Ridgefield and Kevin G. Matthews and his wife, Suzanne of Loveland, Ohio; two daughters, Maura M. Walsh and her husband, John of Southborough, Mass. and Kathleen M. Gumpel and her husband, Nicholas of Fanwood, N.J.; a brother, Byron Matthews and his wife, Gloria of Norwalk; 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Arlene Mollica. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:15am in St. Mary's Church, Ridgefield. Burial will take place in Ascension Cemetery, Airmont, N.Y. The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield on Wednesday from 5 to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897.