Matzke, Peter

To Those Who Mourn

(An excerpt)

For that is the real truth; man is a soul and has a body.

The body is not the man; it is only the clothing of the man.

What you call death is the laying aside of a worn-out garment, and it is no more the end of the man than it is the end of you when you remove your coat.

Therefore you have not lost your friend; you have only lost sight of the cloak in which you were accustomed to see him.

The cloak is gone, but the man who wore it is not;

Surely it is the man that you love and not the garment.

C.W. Leadbeater

Peter M Matzke passed away in the comfort of his own home June 18th, 2023. Predeceased by Doris and Fred Matzke.  Survived by his wife Jeanne (Newton) Matzke.  His children Karen (Carlos) Gallegos, and Michael (Elizabeth) Matzke. Grandchildren Lena and Evan Gallegos.  His fur baby Ellie, and his K9 companion Max.

Pete was a man of careful words and embodied his enduring advice, “You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, you should listen twice as much as you speak”. A man of deep integrity and thoughtfulness, Pete used these skills not only to become a successful salesman but also to quietly inspire and mentor many.

From his beginnings in Syracuse, NY at Brockway Truck to the long career at Genesee Truck Sales, Pete was passionate about the many long term relationships he built with his customers and coworkers alike. Peter lived by the words, “ If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”.

He loved trucks and good fun, “communing with nature” on the golf course, Dewars and poetry on the back deck. Pete loved his family and loved sharing the things he loved with them. Dirt tracks and NASCAR, ice cream sundaes and Sunday morning pancakes on the griddle. The truest remarks about Peter, however, ring loudest in the words of his grandchildren, Lena and Evan.

“I was very lucky to have a grandfather like I did. He had a never ending love of both his family and the world around him. He cared deeply for animals and seemed to have magic touch with all that he cared for, whether it be cats, dogs, or songbirds. He taught me many things from playing cards to making toasted cheese to being patient and making your own fun on a hot summer afternoon. He will be missed terribly but the lessons and legacy he’s created among his family and friends will carry on forever.” Lena

“Nothing short of brilliant comes to mind when I think of my grandfather. A loving dad, grandpa, husband and friend to many, he was able to live an amazing life with the people he loved. I’m so thankful for all of the time and memories I made with him while he was here, an dI am forever grateful for how close I was able to be with him. He loved to take me and my sister out on random trips to the horse races, mini gold courses and several other places, and I cherish these moments. He taught me how to play cards use a grill, and he even taught me on how to be a good salesman, just like him. He was the best grandpa I could’ve ever asked for , and I”m so thankful for the time we got together.” Evan

Somehow it seems fitting to close with lyrics with one of our favorite songs by the great Highwaymen, a song that played up and down Route 104 and will forever be a comfort..

“I’ll fly a starship

Across the universe divide

And when I reach the other side

I’ll find a place to rest my spirit if I can

Perhaps, I may become a highwayman again

Or I may simply be a singly drop of rain

But I will l remain

And I’ll be back again, and again, and again,

And again, and again, and again”

JL Webb

In memory of Peter, donations may be made to:

Pet Pride of New York

7731 Victor Mendon Rd, Victor, NY 14564

Keller’s Kats Rescue

62 Gorton Avenue Hilton, NY 14468

Perinton Food Shelf

PO Box 381

Fairport, NY 14450-0381