MAGNA-<! > On August 9, 2001, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the world lost one of its kindest and most generous souls. Sidney Sam Matz.
This gentle man was born in Garland Utah on February 28, 1919 to Samuel Solomon and Annie Simon Matz. The family moved to the town of Magna when Sid was six. He grew up loving the town and it's people. In 1940, at the age of 21, he joined the Army. A few months prior to his discharge, the attack on Pearl Harbor extended his military service until 1945. In that interim, the army awarded him several medals including a purple heart. He fought on the Philippines, Okinawa, Saipan, Kwajalein, Eniwetok and other islands.
In 1950, Sid and his wife, Esther Evelyn Ewing, settled in Garfield, Utah. In 1957, with their three children, they moved to Magna. Sid worked for the Kennecott Copper Corporation at the refinery for 32 years before retiring in 1982. For many of those years he volunteered his services to the United Way, soliciting contributions from businesses.
Not enough can be said about Sid's generosity, kind heart and jovial personality. He always joked with people and had a smile for anyone he met. And it seemed, no matter where he went, a different city, state, or country, he invariably ran into someone who knew him. Some people in Magna referred to him as "Magna's Mayor." He loved poetry, life, children, his family, and making people chuckle. His greatest joy came from the laughing eyes of children. He will be deeply missed.
In keeping with Sid's way of life, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, send donations in his name to a children's hospital.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Crestview Care Center for taking such good care of Sid during the final stages of his battles with Alzheimer's disease.
Preceded in death by an infant son, Anthony.
He is survived by his wife; son, Steve P. (Karen) Matz; daughters, Charlene (John) Holman, Cheri (Steve) Hudgens; sisters, Bernice Engleberg and Ruth McCrimmon; five granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren; three nephews and a niece.
Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2001, at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd. (17111 S. Redwood Rd.). Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Monday, August 13, at Peel Funeral Home, 8525 West 2700 South.