LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of James F. Matthews, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, James "Jim" F. Matthews of Binghamton, New York, died on
Friday, July 15, 2011, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, James F. Matthews was born in Parry Sound, Ontario where he
developed an early love for the Georgian Bay, hockey and business; from
his first job at the age of 12 as a bellhop for a local hotel to his
successive jobs at the local creamery and bowling alley, he discovered
his entrepreneurial spirit and relentless optimism; and
WHEREAS, James F. Matthews attended Clarkson University through a
combination of a hockey scholarship and by working in the uranium mines
of Elliott Lake; always one to see an opportunity, while at the mines he
opened Jim's BarberShop; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, James F. Matthews started Matco Electric after
settling in Binghamton with his wife, Judy; it would be the first of
many successful business ventures they undertook, including automotive
dealerships, electronic manufacturers, publishing, entertainment, recy-
cling, insurance and real estate development companies, and Binghamton's
first professional hockey team: The Broome Dusters; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of the Dusters and the positive impact it created
for the community exemplifies the positive influence James F. Matthews
had on so many who were touched by his generous spirit; and
WHEREAS, His commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity,
carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and
civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, James F. Matthews served on many local boards and received
numerous community service awards; countless people have benefited from
his guidance, grace and kindness; he enjoyed golf, classic cars, boat-
ing, and listening to music; and
WHEREAS, Of all his many accomplishments, James F. Matthews was most
proud of his family, and cherished above all else his time with them;
from coaching his son's hockey teams to countless family gatherings, he
taught the members of his family the importance of being together; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Lucy Matthews; his
sisters, Elsie and Betty; and his brothers, Jack, Bill and Bert; as well
as his mother- and father-in-law, Kay and George Treeter, James F.
Matthews is survived by his cherished wife and partner of 49 years,
Judy; his devoted children, Jim Jr. (Micki), Doug (Monica), Theresa,
John (Denise) and Rob (Stephanie); his sister, Isobel Liness (Ed);
sister-in-law, Margaret Matthews and brother-in-law, Bob O'Callaghan;
sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janice and Larry Palombi, Cathy
Heembrock, Margaret and Jim Blum, Barbara and Jim Cornell, Debby and
Darrel Odom; and his eight grandchildren, Nate, Coby, Bailey, Dougie,
Darby, Molly, Katie and RJ; one of his greatest joys was spending time
with each and every one of them, all of whom adored their grandpa and
will cherish their memories of sleepovers, golf cart and boat rides, ice
cream outings and hidden candy stashes; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, James F. Matthews leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of James F. Matthews, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of James F. Matthews.