Matthew J. Kania

Matthew J. Kania Athol – Matthew J. Kania, 92, died Thursday, July 26, 2012 at his home.      Matthew was born November 7, 1919, in Rossiter, Pennsylvania, the son of Vincent and Antonia (Slimak) Kania.  He attended schools in Rossiter where he lived for many years and since 1945 has resided in Athol.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as Corporal with the 1010th Army Air Forces.        While living in Pennsylvania he worked in the mines later moving to New York where he was a welder and worked for the L.S. Starrett Company for many years until his retirement.  Matthew was a man of many talents who could do anything.  He enjoyed fine woodworking, plumbing, electrical and there was never a job he could not accomplish.  He was a very talented musician, able to play any instrument that he picked up.  He was an avid cribbage player, winning a tournament at the South Athol cribbage tournament, was a great swimmer and could float for hours.        He leaves his wife of 69 years, Antena (Wesockes) Kania; his children, Kathy Kania, Sheila Graichen and her husband Alan, James Kania and his wife Carol of the Phillipines, Elaine Haskins  and her husband Martin; six grandchildren, Jason, Matthew, Kyle, Amber, Adam and Jasmine and one great grandson Brent.  He also leaves three sisters, Mary Pruent and Josephine Zuber, both of MI and Wanda Ward of Ohio.  He was predeceased by three brothers, Bruno, Eugene and Stanley and two sisters, Freda and Lottie.        A private memorial service will be held at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in Matthew’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });