Obituary of Paul Mata

Paul Alexander Mata was born in Johnston, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1941. He was the son of the late Alexander Mata and Esther (Brown) Mata. Paul attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit completing his bachelor degree in 1963. Paul spent forty-seven years in the airline industry as a cargo manager. For more than thirty years he worked for Pan-Am until their closing. He was a customs specialist using his skills for several other employers before his retirement. He married the former Colette Bibler on April 1, 2004. Paul was currently a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Findlay. Paul loved muscle cars and had owned a 1934 Coupe, a 1964 Corvette, and a 1991 Corvette. He also loved peaceful and relaxing serenity of being on the water and boating. Paul had learned to carve leather while he attended Sacred Heart and put his skill to use working on automobile dashboards, sun visors, and even purses. Paul was an honest man of integrity. He was generous and easy going with a positive attitude; his glass was always half full. For many years, Paul had played Santa Claus. Paul Alexander Mata passed away Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at Bridge Hospice Center of Findlay. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by a daughter: Leilani Provencher; a son-in-law: Robert Provencher; and a brother: James Mata; and a grandson: Brandon Varner Mata. To cherish his memory he leaves a beloved wife: Colette of Findlay; two children: Mary (Joe) Conte of Newport and Ron (Jennifer) Mata of Temperance; three stepchildren: Melissa Felkner of Findlay, Anjeanette (Jamie) Adney of Ida, and Joshua (Keri) Collins of White Cloud, Michigan; one sister: Helen (David) Wargo of Saline; nineteen grandchildren; and four great grandchildren with two on the way. Friends may gather from 3:00-8:00pm, Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 11:00am, Friday, December 7, also at Merkle's with the Rev. Rex Jones officiating. Procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery for burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested Bridge Home Health and Hospice and Cancer Patient Services both of Findlay, Ohio. Online guests may leave condolences by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.