Donald W. Matthews, 96

Former Mayor of Montgomery

January 14, 1930  -  October 31, 2026

After his early life of dairy farming in Pennington, Don Matthews moved his young family to a farm in Montgomery Township — which was all farms at the time. While farming, he served on the Civil Defense and the Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 as assistant chief. He was elected to Montgomery Township Committee in 1982 and served six years as mayor and six years as deputy mayor. He was responsible for many achievements during his terms: Farmland Preservation, Open Space, Landmarks Committee, and Shade Tree Committee. He was active with Van Harlingen Historical Society to get Silvi Materials (formerly 3M) to donate land for the Gulick House.

He gave up farming in 1969 to join a new company called Mid-State Filagree Systems and served as Senior V.P. of Production for 50 years. He had to take a forced retirement at 90 due to the pandemic because of Pat’s health. This broke his heart and spirit. He said the best thing in life was to get up and go to work every day.

He loved to play tennis and ski. Don and Pat took many ski trips to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the US East Coast, and Jackson Hole. They enjoyed part ownership in a ski lodge in Killington, Vermont and enjoyed taking family and friends there.

He was a Charter Member of Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club and just celebrated, along with Art Martin and Keith Wheelock, as Nonagenarian’s. He received many awards including the Matty Mathewson Rotarian of the Year in 2004.

He loved his family and they loved him. His son Donald Jr. (Lori), daughter Leslie Orsini, Grandchildren: Joe Weingart (Christine), Sarah Bickel (Chris), Christina Orsini Broderick, Alissa Truesdell (Andy), Amy Stonehouse (Tom) and Great Grandchildren: Cori & Brooke Weingart, Mackenzie and Christopher Bickel, Nathan, William and Lauren Broderick, and Justin Truesdell.

There will be a private service for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice.