Winterbottom, Matthew C.

T.Sgt. Matthew C. Winterbottom, 77, died at home on May 24, 2013 surrounded by love, laughter and a Braves/Mets game after a valiant 3 year fight with throat cancer. Matt was born on January 14, 1936 in Fairhaven, MA to Lester and Jeannette Bessette Winterbottom. After a great childhood on Buzzard’s Bay, Matt joined the US Navy at 17, then a year later he joined the US Air Force serving all over the world. After 21 years in the service he retired in 1974. He was a Vietnam Veteran. He then went to work for N.Y.State as an investigator for the Liquor Authority and the Labor Board, retiring in 1998. Matthew and Norma Bednar were married in Nebraska on August 31, 1958. They had three amazing children together, Michael (Traci) of Colorado, Sheila (Wally) of Indiana and Brian (Mary) of Virginia, ten grandchildren and a great-grandson. He then married Beatrice DeCarolis with whom he had a son, Matthew J. of CO. On October 27, 1999 he married Diane (Maples) Szmurlo. Matt also leaves his “other sons”, Stephen (Kelly) Szmurlo, of Deansboro and Francis Szmurlo of Rome, in-laws and families, Gary (Loretta) Maples of FL, Nancy (Paul) Lopus of Rome and Valerie (Mike) Lauri of Rome. They were there anytime for anything. Matt loved people, books, sports, and helping others, loved his kids most of all. O yes-his numerous furry kids as as well! A special thank you to “son” Fran and niece Jennifer Downs-his "go for” girl. Couldn’t have done as well without you two. Also to Dr. Fayez Chahfe and his staff-you were all so wonderful. At Matthew’s request, services will be private. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of Matt’s life will take place in August. Arrangements are entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St