Senate Resolution No. 181

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 110th Anniversary of Matt
Funeral Service, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses that contribute
substantially to the economic vitality of their communities, thereby
enhancing the economic well-being of the entire Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 110th Anniversary of Matt Funeral Service, Inc., of
Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1894, Luigi and Caterina Meta, along with their
children, Carmen, Joseph, Rose, Amodel, Theresa, and Anthony, emigrated
from Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy, to Little Italy, New York; later, the
last child of the family, Paul, was born in the United States; moving to
Utica, the Metas called this new city home; and

WHEREAS, The Meta children attended Bleecker Street School; the
teachers used the name Matt instead, and the new surname was used
thenceforth; and

WHEREAS, The Matt family established several business ventures,
including a meat market, a Bleecker Street apartment building, and Eagle
Ice Cream Company which included an icehouse and, eventually, 30
horse-drawn wagons; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, Anthony Matt established his own funeral home in
Utica; on May 22, 1920, he married Lena I. Viscosi, of Rome, New York;
together, the couple served their city; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Matt's fluency in several languages allowed him to
provide funeral services to the Italian, Syrian, and Lebanese
communities; the dedicated funeral home director worked tirelessly until
his death on January 3, 1947; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his father's death, John Matt returned from New
York City, where he was a funeral director, to continue his father's
tradition of service to the community; in December of 1947, the funeral
home was moved to its present location in Utica; on April 19, 1948, the
family-owned business was incorporated; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Matt Funeral Service, Inc., has been
operated by four generations of the Matt family, providing compassionate
service for countless families; this enduring legacy of caring for
family and friends continues; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pride that the Matt family, along with
their dedicated workers, celebrate this milestone 110th Anniversary and
anticipate many more years of success for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The progression of Matt Funeral Service, Inc., is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its owners and employees, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community
it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to the local
and State economies, and its vibrant role in improving the quality of
life in its community, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy
the sparkling success it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 110th Anniversary of Matt Funeral Service, Inc., of
Utica, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Matt Funeral Service, Inc..