Max H. Mattes passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in Williamsburg, Va.
Max is survived by his loving wife, Lonnie; daughters, Kathleen Hawley Mattes and Myfanwy Evan Mattes; and stepdaughters, Erryn and Carlie, and their families.
He was born Aug. 10, 1933, in Newton Falls, Ohio, to Milan and Leah Mattes. Max moved to Ithaca, N.Y., in 1951 to attend Cornell University on a C.U. National Scholarship and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Electrical Engineering degrees. Living in Ithaca until 1997, Max started and ran two businesses: Alcor (1956) and All-Mode Communications Inc. (1972). He was an active member of the Rotary Club and served on several boards of directors.
Basketball was an important part of Max’s life. He played for Cornell and was on the team as a point guard/ forward in 1954 when they won the Ivy League Championship and went to play in the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16. After graduating, he coached the Cornell freshman basketball team. Max played in the Senior Olympic games into his 80’s, his team winning the Gold in 1993.
Next to basketball was sailing. In 1997, he and his wife, Lonnie, lived aboard their sailboat and sailed from Ithaca, N.Y., to the Caribbean. The adventure enriched his life not only from the experience, but from the deep friendships made.
After moving off the boat and settling first in Hampton, Va., and then Williamsburg, Va., Max was proud to be a docent at the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Va. He was awarded the Docent Volunteer Award in 2012.
Max knew no stranger and loved his daughters and stepdaughters immensely. He touched so many lives in his time here; and, in return, the family has felt that deeply in these days following his passing. Max requested that there be no services and that you remember him in your experiences and memories shared together.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to League of Women Voters Williamsburg or Heritage Humane Society.
Share online condolences with the family at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.
