Matthias “Matt” L. Wirtz, 86, of North Haven passed away peacefully on Oct. 24, at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Erika Zwinger Wirtz, and they just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on Oct 19.
Matt was born in Widdeshoven, Germany, on July 10, 1935, and was the son of the late Adam and Sofia Hoven Wirtz. He was a tool and die maker for many years, was the owner/operator of the Paramount Package Store of New Haven for 25 years and later had worked for Acme Auto. Matt was a member of the Haru Gari Singing Society of West Haven, the Meriden Turner Society, and the former Arbieter Maenner Choir. He enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle in his earlier years, loved listening to German music, and was an avid soccer fan.
He was the father of Helga Beckett, Monika Lussier, Matthias A. Wirtz (Barbara Cardito), and the late Peter Wirtz; grandfather of Dylan Beckett (Kate), Jenilee Wirtz (Chad), and Morgan Lussier; and great-grandfather of Dylan, Charlie, and Liberty. He is also survived by his close friends Ray Ayoub, Chris and Alexandra Springer, Jurgen and Sandy Weber, Waltraut Wirtz, and Ray and Gloria Peach.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jeremy Kortmansky, Virginia and the Smilow-North Haven Staff, R.N. Lauren B, Richard Papa and the entire staff at Smilow-New Haven, and the nurses and staff of the Connecticut Hospice, Branford.
The visiting hours will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to closer to Free Fund, Smilow c/o Yale New Haven Hospital, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508 or the CT Hospice, Inc., 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. For his online obituary, please visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.
