COPENHAGEN - Clifford G. Mattis, of Old State Road, died at the Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, early Monday morning, January 20th where he had resided for a few weeks.

Cliff was born on October 28, 1933 in New Bremen, the son of the late George Arthur and Frances Margaret (Bailey) Mattis.  He was a graduate of Father Leo Memorial High School in Croghan. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Naval Air Force from 1956 to 1957 and six years in the Naval reserves. Cliff graduated from the New York State Ranger School at Wanakena in 1963. He was united in marriage to Sue Waugh on September 10, 1966 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church Croghan, with Father Declan O'Rouke, O.F.M., officiating.

Cliff was employed by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as a Forest Ranger with the DEC office in Dadville. He was called to service as a Forest Ranger to work at White Face Mountain during the 1980 winter Olympics.

He was a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and Copenhagen American Legion Floyd Lyng Post #723. Cliff enjoyed baby sitting with his grandkids when they were little and he was younger, he also attended many soccer and ball games to watch the grandchildren. Cliff was in his 80's when he delivered home meals.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, their three children, Terri S. (Tim Smith) Gozalkowski of Schenectady; Eileen F. (Robert) Carroll of Copenhagen; Garth D. (Lisa) Mattis of Copenhagen; his seven grandchildren, Cole Gozalkowski; Erin Gozalkowski; Kevin Carroll; Olivia Carroll; Hailey Tweedy; Brenten Mattis; and Jackson Mattis; his sister, Shirley (Stanley) Bush of Gastonia, NC; and his sister-in-law, Alice (Al) Jardine of Sin Lakes, AZ.

He is predeceased by his grandson, Dale Gates Mattis, 2006, a sister, Margaret K. Mattis and his brother, Richard J. Mattis.

Calling hours for family and friends will be on Friday, January 24th from, 10:00 to 11:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Copenhagen. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00am with Rev. Todd E. Thibault, Pastor officiating.

All are invited to a meal immediately following the service at the Drift Inn in Copenhagen

Spring military burial will be in the seventh generation family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery. Cliff was baptized at St. Peter's Catholic Church, New Bremen on November 7, 1933.

Memorials in Cliff's name may be made to: Smokey Bear Stewardship Fund; https://www.nationalforests.org/regional-programs/southwest/smokey-bear-stewardship-fund