LACONIA, NH - Gary Mattila, 66 of Laconia, NH, formerly of Webster, died December 10 after a courageous fight against cancer. Son of the late Leo and Louise (Schremser) Mattila of Webster, MA, he was born in Boca Raton FL, during his father’s service in the US Army Air Corps. A career executive with General Motors North America, he retired in 2002 but continued to consult with GM and later American Suzuki Motor Co. until 2007. He was a graduate of Bartlett High School and Nichols College.
He was an enthusiastic volunteer for the Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation from its founding in 1991 focusing his efforts on organizing and facilitating fundraising events.
His love for golf extended throughout his life, from early days at Raceway and Nichols Country Club to living on Crow Canyon CC in Danville, CA, to recent tee times at Laconia CC and rounds at many greens and fairways between. Golf interest may only have been eclipsed for his love of baseball, specifically the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and of course secretly, the Red Sox. But most of all it was his passion for direct interaction with people in business, sports, fundraising or daily contact with everyone he met that defined his life.
In addition to his wife of 38 years Ila (Matteson), he leaves his brother, Rick and his wife Sharon of Hull, MA and niece Katie Mattila and nephew Kurt Mattila both of Los Angeles.
A memorial service in celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Friday, December 16 at 11 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oxford, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary’s name may be made to Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), PO Box 30215, Walnut Creek, CA 94598-9215 or Community Health and Hospice, 780 N. Main St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com .