Matilla, Richard Clarence, 71, of Caribou, at Boston, Mass., on March 19, 2011. Friends may call on March 23, from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., March 24, at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou. Arrangements are in the care of the Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
Caribou – Richard Clarence Mattila, 71, died March 19th, 2011, surrounded by his family at a hospital in Boston, Mass., following a long illness. He was born on August 18, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Oscar and Alvina (Schulz) Mattila. Richard graduated from Pulaski High School in 1957 and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis.
Richard served four years in the U.S. Air Force at Loring Air Force Base. He later went on to a 27-year banking career, that began at Northern National Bank as Assistant Manager, and retired as Senior Vice President of Bank of Boston. Richard also served 10 years as Caribou City Manager and was involved in many local organizations, including the Caribou Jaycees and Caribou Rotary Club, where he served as president and received the Paul Harris award in 2004. He was a devoted member of Holy Rosary Church in Caribou for over 40 years, was a president of the Parish Council and an active member of the Cursillo movement. Richard was also a Eucharistic minister, sang in the in the Holy Rosary Choir, and worked with the RCIA program. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to sing with the Barber Shoppers, and was an avid fan of the Red Sox. He enjoyed volunteering after his retirement and continued to serve the community in a number of ways. He was a member of the hospital board, a past president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation, worked with the food pantry and delivered religious service and communion to the Veteran’s Home.
Richard is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lillian; two sons, Michael, and his wife Jane in Minnesota and James of Caribou; as well as, one daughter, Kimberly, and husband, Kirk Pelletier of New Hampshire; and two special grandchildren, Courtney and Nolan. He is also survived by three brothers, Norman and wife, LaDona, Bob and wife Nancy, and George and Karen, and three sisters, Jeanie and husband Chuck Stumpf, Kathy and husband, Larry Deibert, and Donna and husband Dennis Hart as well as one uncle, Howard Mattila. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Fran.
Friends may call on Wednesday, March 23, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover Street, Caribou. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 24, Parish of the Precious Blood, at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou, Rev. Jean Paul Labrie officiating. A reception will follow services at the parish hall. Spring interment will be at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Caribou. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Rosary Building Fund, P.O. Box 625, Caribou, ME 04736, or to the American Cancer Society, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Ste 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.
