Matthew H. Lippert Sr.

ALLEGANY - Matthew H. Lippert, Sr., 73, of 3869 Old State Road, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (Feb. 24, 2021) at his home. The cause of death was unrelated to COVID-19.

Born July 6, 1947 in Olean, he was the son of Stephen M. and Beatrice D. Grandusky Lippert. On Feb. 15, 1969, in St. Bonaventure Church, he married Cathy Grove, who survives.

Matt was a 1966 graduate of Allegany Central School, and soon after served in the U.S. Army, from 1966 to 1968, primarily as a radar technician in Korea.

He started working various places, including the oil fields around Chipmonk, as a roustabout. He was then employed for many years as a highway maintenance worker, for the New York State Department of Transportation, retiring in 2009.

Matt was a dedicated member of the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892, where he served many years on the ritual team. As a younger man, he was the president of the Sons of the American Legion in Allegany. He also was a member of the VFW Post 2721 in Cuba, the National Rifle Association and the Allegany Fire Department.

He was known for his love of family, especially his grandchildren, and for his passion for making friends and always enjoying a good conversation. He even called his family dog "Bear" his favorite child.

As a neighbor on Old State Road, he was first to help at any time, especially in winter as the Snow Plow King. He was also an avid hunter.

Besides his loving wife Cathy, he leaves behind three children, Melissa "Missy" Dennis of Allegany, Matthew (Jeanne) Lippert, Jr. of Allegany and Stephen (Nikki) Lippert of Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren, Brianne, Nicholas, Eddie, Josh, Allie, Jake, Kayley, Caitlin, Madeline, Morganne, Emily and Brady; eight siblings, David (Barbara) Lippert of Allegany, Stephanie (Brian) Klice of Friendship, Thomas (Josephine) Lippert of Allegany, Mary Ann (Don) Yehl of Allegany, Daniel (Dorothy) Lippert of Olean, Lynn (Penny) Lippert of Allegany, Melodie (Richard) Giardini of Allegany and Carol (Dean) Truman of Allegany; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant sister.

The family will be present to receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m., on Sunday, at the St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday (March 1, 2021) in the church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, with full military honors being accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team.

Memorials may be made to the Allegany American Legion Post 892, 4350 State Route 417, Allegany, NY 14706.

To watch the funeral live via the internet, log onto http://buffalomedia.net/03012021 moments before the mass begins at 9:30 a.m. It may be viewed anytime thereafter at the same site.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.

Online condolences may be sent to oleanfuneralhome.com.