North Blenheim- Burton J. Mattice, 73, of State Route 30, past away at his home on January 6, 2010.
Born January 24, 1936 in Jefferson, he was the son of Everett and Hilda (Keyser) Mattice. Burton took over the family farm when he was 17, after graduating from Gilboa Central School in 1953. When he was 18, Burton joined the voluntary draft and was sent to South Korea. In 1956 he received an honorable discharge from the United States Army, and returned to the family farm. He retired from farming at the age of 69 due to contracting Parkinson's.
He was a 56 year member of the Blenheim Hose Company, Inc. Burton held almost every office the fire department at one time or another, including chief for 5 years. He was chairman of the Robert Hitchcock Memorial Fund that he helped establish after the pipeline explosion, which killed Mr. Hitchcock.
Burton also served as a trustee and an unpaid financial advisor of the Riverview Cemetery Assoc.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth (Micelli) Mattice, whom he married January 14, 1977; his daughter Anne, and her husband Chris Strauch, and two grandsons, all of North Blenheim; and a cousin, Doris Vrooman of Colonie.
A Fireman's Prayer Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh. Friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home from 9 to 10:00 AM, Saturday, prior to the service. Private burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
The family's request is that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Robert Hitchcock Memorial Fund, care of Blenheim Hose Co., Inc., P.O. Box 916, North Blenheim, NY 12131
Exclusive provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.