George E. Mattegat, Sr, 87, passed away on January 6, 2016, at Leesburgh Hospital in Florida with wife and friends at his bedside.

George was born in Bridgeport, Conn., to Emil and Ada Mattegat, on July 19, 1929. He grew up in Monroe, and then moved to Newtown when he was 21. He was a resident of Newtown for 66 years, before moving to The Villages, Florida, in 2014.

George served in the US Navy during WWII, having enlisted at the age of 16.

He was Animal Control Officer for many years in Newtown. He owned and operated school bus #17 in Newtown, driving children for over four decades.

George was a past a master of Hiram Lodge in Sandy Hook, and a Shriner in Connecticut, where he was president of two clubs. He was also past member and former president of Newtown Lions Club, and a Sandy Hook fireman since 1952 (and later elected Life Member). He was a member of the Nunnawauk Meadows board of directors and VFW of Newtown. He also co-chaired the Newtown Labor Day Parade in 1975

In Florida, George was a member of the Shriners Club and the American Legion in The Village.

George is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol; his sons Jay Mattegat of Newtown and wife Melanie, George Mattegat Jr of Rhode Island, and William Mattegat and wife Holly of Texas; his daughter Carol Ann Swendsen of Montana; and stepson Paul Harrison of Ohio. He is also survived by grandchildren Alexandra and Ethen Mattegat, Lauren and husband Daniel, Jaycee Mattegat, Donald E. Butler, Jr and Nicole Swendsen; and great-granddaughter Natlie Rose Logue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations: Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 344, Newtown CT 06470; Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, PO Box 783, Sandy Hook CT 06482; or Shriner's Children's Hospital, 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114.

A wake will be held at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, on Friday, January 13, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Services will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown, on Saturday, January 4, at 10:30 am.

George will be buried in Stepney Cemetery, with military honors.

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