Alvin “Al” Matava, age 86 years, of Manville, NJ, died on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in New York City, NY, June 28, 1932, son of the late Herbert and Shirley Tobias Matava, Al was raised in the Bronx, NY and had lived in Somerville and Browns Mills, NJ prior to settling in Manville in 1992.

A graduate of Taft High School in the Bronx, Al was a retired Diesel Mechanic for UPS in Secaucus and Bound Brook, NJ. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Al was proud to have raised three daughters and loved them deeply. He was very excited when his granddaughter, Morgan, was born and the two shared a special bond.

Al will be remembered as a true, “social butterfly,” having many dear friends and always being up for doing anything that involved living and enjoying each day to its fullest. The door to his house was always open and that piece of his legacy will forever shine though in all who knew him. True to form,  he was extremely chivalrous and very much a true gentlemen in all regards.

An avid target shooter, he also was an accomplished woodworker, making tables, chairs and other furniture for family and friends.

His meticulous and detailed nature was evident in the numerous radio controlled model ships, tugboats and push boats that he created. His level of detail and skill were admired by many in the hobby industry as well as just those who could appreciate fine work. His love of the craft led him to also own and operate “Ships-N-Things”, a hobby business catering to remote controlled ship building.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Florence Hartstein Matava in 1984 as well as his second wife, NancyLee Funch Matava in 1992.

Surviving are three daughters and a son-in-law, Helena Matava of Hackaettstown, NJ, Grace and Joseph Rogers of Ringoes, NJ, and Barbara Matava of Flemington, NJ; a granddaughter, Morgan Rogers; a sister and her wife, Tobie Matava and Jane; and many dear friends.

Graveside services performed by Rabbi Ellie Miller in the Congregation Knesseth Israel of Bound Brook section of Washington Cemetery, 104 Deans Rhode Hall Road, South Brunswick, NJ 08902, will be private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Shiva will be private.

Please visit Al’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation, 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 202, Flemington, New Jersey 08822 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned and operated “Life Celebration Home”