Robert Mattus died on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 in his home after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 88 years old. Bob was born in Worcester, MA, the youngest of eight children, to Pius (Matijosaitus) Mattus and Mary (Orante) Mattus of Vilnus, Lithuania.

He was preceded in death by one sister; Ruth and 6 brothers; Joseph, John, Frank, Theodore, Vincent and Vitty and a grandson; Peter Mattus.

Bob is survived by his children and grandchildren with his first wife, Dolly; Mary Penny (Eddie) Gorecki and their children, Alex (Kristi) and Christina (Johnny); Kenny (Amy) Mattus and their children, Angelina, Maria (Doug), and Aaron (Grey)); Melody (Eddie) Pool and their son, Brandon (Dea); Sandy (Jeff) Kidd and their children, Brad (Melissa) and Jeffrey (Heather)); and with his second wife, Nancy; Lisa Mattus and her children, Nikki (Jeremy) Amber, and Brianna); Mark (Anne) Mattus and their children, Michael, Anthony, Mary, Christopher, Vincent, John and Dominic along with 15 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was an accomplished musician and artist at a young age. After high school, he attended the School of Worcester Art Museum, but chose music as his life long career. He was most well known as a member of the musical/comedy trio, the Novelaires. After several years of being on the road in the late 1950's, he and band mates, Henry Benoit and Dan Martin, decided to settle their families in beautiful Pensacola. After the passing of Henry and Dan, Bob continued his music career with fellow musicians and vocalists in the Pensacola area, until his retirement at the age of 82. He also taught advanced accordion and continued to paint, well into his 80's.

Bob was devout Catholic and a student of Church history. He taught his children to challenge themselves spiritually and to know their Faith. His visit to Rome and Florence in 2000 was a long held dream come true… seeing then Pope John Paul II, touring St. Peter Basilica and the Sistine Chapel and sitting in the Piazzas sketching the ancient art and scenery around him. He served in many capacities at his original parish of St. Ann, Brownsville, until its closing. He came to love his new parish home of St. Anne, Bellview. He was a regular adorer for Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Mission.

He had a great love and respect for nature and its beauty. He was very happy living in his house in the woods, and it was there that, with family at his side, he lived out his earthly life and returned to his heavenly home.

The family would like to thank his longtime friends, Paul Bruketa, Red Lane, Susie Crooke, Ted Johnson, Chuck Christianson and his "Foley Friends" for their cards, phone calls and visits during his illness. You made him smile! And thank you to our church families, and clergy, Fr George Sammut, Pastor of St. Anne Church; Fr. John Licari, Pastor of St. Mary Church, Ft. Walton; Fr. Eugene Casserly, Pastor of Little Flower Church and Bishop Martin Holley of Washington, DC, and all who visited and offered prayers and Masses for Dad during his illness. We especially thank dear friends, Deacon Don Krehely of St. John the Evangelist Church and Louise Brown of St. Anne Church who visited often and brought Dad Holy Communion. Your love and support were deeply appreciated.

We thank those who shared in the care for our Dad…The staff and nurses of Covenant Care, especially Pam Chandler, Summer Stuckey and Missie Porcillo; and Clariza Evans of Home Instead Caregivers. May God bless you all for the love and care that you put into your work every day!

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Harper Morris Memorial Chapel from 5:30pm-7pm. You are invited to join the family for recitation of the Rosary at 5pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Anne Catholic Church, Bellview. Most Rev. Martin D. Holley will be the main celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Anne Catholic Church Building Fund, St. Vincent de Paul of St. Anne or Covenant Care.