Rudolph Matland Jr

Rudolph K. Matland Jr. (Rudy), age 62, joined the angels in the stars on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, fully surrounded by his family at his home in Lake Milton, Ohio. He was born on August 18, 1954, to Rudolph K. Matland Sr. and Dawn P. Rainey Matland in St. George, Staten Island, New York. Cremation has taken place and a gathering of friends will be scheduled around Lake Milton. Rudy loved the Cape, so a spreading of ashes and a life celebration is to be scheduled on Cape Cod, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, during the Summer of 2018, so that all of his family may be present. Rudy graduated with the Class of 1972 at Lawrence High School in Falmouth. His strong work ethic developed early by helping his parents at the A &W franchise in Teaticket and at the concessions at Old and New Silver Beaches in West Falmouth. He later worked for Benny Bevelander at the Getty station. He loved tinkering around with mechanics in his early childhood and it became a lifelong passion. He studied and trained in Automotive Technology at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. Rudy's passion for the ocean and fishing developed in his youth at Green Pond and on weekend trips to Tarpaulin Cove with his family. He was fascinated with his grandfather's fishing boat, The Ellen Marie. Every Sunday, the boat unloaded fish at the dock in Woods Hole before moving on to it's port in New Bedford. Rudy joined Matland Fishing Corporation in Fort Meyers, Florida as a Captain/Engineer on The Odin shrimp boat. He fished the Gulf of Mexico between Fort Meyers and Galveston, Texas before moving to Lake Milton, Ohio. There he spent his remaining 22 years working his way up from mechanic to Shop Supervisor for Agnew's Farm Equipment, in Youngstown, Ohio. They report that he was family! Rudy was always working on equipment at home for his friends and neighbors after his work day was over. His family is in awe of the incredible love and support his community shows for him. Everyone expresses how dedicated he was to helping others. "He is always there at the drop of a hat, at anytime day or night." He lived his life with a heart full of love for his family and friends. Rudy is survived by his life companion Michelle Dubray; daughter Amanda Fretwell, husband Jason and children Dakota Moore, Megan and Chase Fretwell; son Rudy Matland III and children Christina, Heather, Brooklynn, and Rudy Matland IV; daughter Jessi Matland, companion Rick Brown and son Thomas Matland; his father Rudolph K. Matland Sr. and wife Mary Jo; aunt Sharon Matland; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from the Rainey family; sister Deryle Matland, husband Mike Aurand and children Kelci and Kreymer Aurand (children Brody Robertson and Ryker Aurand); and sister Janet Stockwell, companion Paul Perue, children Rick, Ben, Tom (wife Lindsay and children Josiah and Raya), and Heather Stockwell. Rudy was preceded in death by his sister Pamela Jean Matland (1965); mother Dawn P. Rainey Matland (1985); brother-in-law Richard Stockwell (2007); grandparents Doris J. and Joseph K. Rainey; and grandparents Rudolph B. and Emily Matland, and Serina Davidsen-Matland. Rudy adored his 3 children and 8 grandchildren! He dedicated his life to being a one of a kind caring, thoughtful, supportive and loving grandpa. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren and never missed a birthday or Christmas holiday gift. Rudy's courage, strength and determination is an example to all of us. He fought a tough battle with multiple health problems that led to end stage liver failure. He was proud of his years of sobriety and is adored by his AA group and friends. Family came from Virginia, Florida, California, and Wyoming to be with him in his last days. Family and friends across the continent have held him in prayer, thank you. His son and family honored his request to be at home surrounded by the family he so dearly loved. His ship may have sailed but he will live forever in our hearts. Contributions can be made to the family for expenses at Deans Funeral Home, 256 W. Ohio, Sebring, Ohio, 44672, phone 330-938-2744 or directly to his children.