December 13, 2023

Almost a year later I am reading this obituary with much sadness, Mr. Matz was without a doubt my favorite memory of high school. The candlelight service was a warm Christmas memory, love to his family,
Linda (Monahan) Alexander

January 06, 2023

Our hearts and prayers go out to you Sally and your loving family.  This is a sad and also an uplifting time for all who have been blessed to have had Mr. Matz in our lives.  God created each one of us as a gift to others during our lives, and at His calling we return to our maker.  Rare few of His children bring to their fellow man a love for God, an example of respect, happiness, and how to serve others.  Mr. Matz was one of these very blessed gifts from God to you Sally and your family, and everyone he touched.  As I was a member of the NHS choir, he was a bright light whenever we were in his presence.  My wife Ann and I were very blessed in 2017 to visit both of you at your home in NY and spend the day there.  Chuck took us up to the stone church your family built and the views from there and your home were a piece of heaven.  When we left he hugged me and whispered, “I love you”.  Mr. Matz, I and all who have been blessed to have you as a part of our lives love you too.  We all cherish the examples he taught us and will carry that in our hearts.  We thank you God for bringing Mr. Matz to us.

January 04, 2023

Hi Sally,  Sandi and I wanted to know we were thinking of you at this time of loss. Although neither of us had the pleasure of being a student of his we fondly remember Chuck through our friendship with both of you. Reading his obituary illustrates what a brilliant, creative and caring human being he was. He certainly left a legacy at Norwalk High School. We attended the candlelight service this year and he was very instrumental in creating that wonderful tradition.
Our friendship began at that Castle on Concord Street where we shared so many joyful times teaching and creating interesting experiences for young people. It was always such a pleasure to work with you and be amazed at all the great ideas you had for integrating the arts into our Bank Street Curiculum. Many laughs as well!
I know how much you loved Craigsmoor and we remember fondly visiting with both of you up there. I know how much you treasured the place and the art work of I believe your grandfather.
May you find some peace in reading the many beautiful comments people have left about Chuck and all he did for them. And the memories of your wonderful life together will live close to your heart.
Peace to you and your family at this time of loss. Tom and Sandi Kretsch

January 03, 2023

We were fortunate enough to call the Matz family our friends and wonderful neighbors for many years in Norwalk. We are sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. He certainly had a life well lived as he left an impact on all who were fortunate enough to know him. Our deepest sympathy to Sally, David and Pam. Bruce Carlson-Benson, NC

January 03, 2023

Chuck’s memorial service was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube at https://bit.ly/3ibNEak

January 03, 2023

Dear Sally, Pam and David — Words can hardly express how sad we are to hear of Chuck’s passing, what a big part of our lives he was, and what a pillar of our little community for so long. On behalf of the entire extended Brown family. 

January 01, 2023

I’m sorry to hear of Mr. Matz’s passing. He was my teacher in Weston, and really helped encourage my lifelong love of music. His enthusiasm for the art was infectious. and to this day, if anyone ever says “good morning boys and girls”, I have to reply “good morning Mr. Matz”.  Susan Bruno

January 01, 2023

Sally- We did not know  your husband when you were in Norwalk,  but it appears he touched so many lives in a very positive way. We offer our condolences on his passing as we noted it in The Hour today.  It brought us back to our fond memories  of you and the impact you had at Columbus School teaching third grade.  Our daughter Karen was one of those fortunate ones to have been in your class around 1986-87.  She concurs with our recollections.  Our thoughts are with you and your family during this sad time.  Please know that you also touched our lives and many others. We wish you well. Ilene and Simon Sumberg, Norwalk , CT

January 01, 2023

My condolences to family and community for the loss of a rare resource in education – a music educator who more than knew his stuff and how to impart it. 
Steve Lenkowsky

December 31, 2022

Grateful. I am grateful for the remarkable music education I received in Weston. Mr. Matz sowed the seeds for a lifelong love of music. I  grateful for his life well lived.

December 30, 2022

Save – I was saddened to hear about your father’s passing at Christmas. — John Hume

December 30, 2022

Chuck Matz, more than any other teacher, music or otherwise inspired my lifelong love of music and my career as a choral director and music teacher. Condolences to his wife and family, may he go onto a higher reward knowing he was sincerely loved and valued by his many students, singers, musicians and friends. Wendy ( Solorow) Damoulakis ( originally from Norwalk, Ct. )

December 30, 2022

A smile comes to my face whenever I think of Mr. Matz and all the wonderful memories of those days. From choir at NHS which literally changed my life forever, to baby sitting for the kids (I think I remember you pregnant Sally) to years later when you came by the Artists Market with the wonderful molded craft projects you’d made. I recall always hearing of Cragsmeer thinking it was a magical place. Mr. Matz ( I don’t dare call him Chuck even though I’m 70 now) changed the world and left it a better place. My condolances to all the family, I know he’ll be terribly missed and also a big “well done” Mr. Matz. You did good! May his memory be a blessing to you. xoxo Nancy Wallerstein

December 30, 2022

Norwalk HS Choir made all the difference in my high school years. Chuck Matz was the best!

December 30, 2022

Mr Matz was a great man Had 3 great years with the NHS CHOIR. 1967-1970.  The Candlelight Service was outstanding and the Alumni always attended. My thoughts and prayers to the Matz family. God bless.

December 29, 2022

My name is Patricia Smith and I’m a 1971 graduate of Mount Saint Vincent.  I live in Lititz and saw Mr. Matz’s obituary in the local paper today.  I was his piano accompanist for a year.  I remember him telling me once that his job was not to follow me.  He was the director.  When he decided to do Handel’s Messiah, I was overwhelmed and quit.  The Mount was privileged to have him.  Love working with him.

December 29, 2022

Mr. Matz was such a hugh inspiration to me during my years in the choir at NHS. He gave me so much confidence which allowed me to follow my dream and become a musician. I am truly sadden by the news of his death. My thoughts are with his family. There are many people who loved Mr. Matz. I am one of them.

December 29, 2022

One of my best high school memories was singing in the well known Norwalk High School Choir under the direction of Mr. Matz. I was also lucky enough to have him as our church choir director and this time of year always makes me smile with rembrances of our Candlelight Services, which we were just talking about on Christmas Day. My condolences to his family and I know he will find his place directing a choir of angels!
 

December 29, 2022

My choir director at Norwalk High School and favorite teacher ever!  May his memory be a blessing

December 29, 2022

Chuck was a big part of my musical life.  I was chosen as an All-State chorus member in 1969, the year I graduated from Norwalk High School.  I also sang a number of solos under Chuck’s leadership.  I went on to sing in the Dean of the Music School’s private choir at the University of Colorado.  The audition piece for that choir was one I had learned under Chuck’s guidance.  I will miss you my friend, I am sure you are still singing.

December 29, 2022

Hello Sally and the Matz family.  So sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing.  I hope it was peaceful. 
You might remember the Hosack family- my brothers Larry, Tom and I sang with “Mr. Matz” in the Norwalk Methodist Church and Norwalk High School in the 1960s and Tom was the NHS Choir accompaniest his senior year. You sometimes would come to our home for Sunday lunch.  (Never called him Chuck- adults were always Mr. and Mrs.!) I know my parents Milton and Miriam loved you both as well.  They both passed several years ago. I am sorry we haven’t stayed in touch. 
So many fond memories of Mr. Matz- he was one of the most important adults in my adolescent life- I sang with him almost ever day for many years.  He helped me make the All-Conn State Choir, and our NHS choir was featured in DC at the 1969 Eastern US Music Educator’s conference.  I went on to sing in an acapella group in college. 
Over the past two weeks I listened non-stop to all my 1967-70 Candlelight Service albums, and digitized them for safe-keeping.  I still know all the words and music, and get goosebumps listening. Two days before Christmas I was telling my friends about Mr. Matz and played our choir albums for them.  140 strong and I humbly say we were remarkably good for high school kids, thanks to Mr. Matz’s expertise, wisdom, and inspiration.  It was more prestigious to sing in the Choir than to be on the football team!  And how brilliant of him to have all our concerts professionally recorded, so we can still listen to them 50 years later.  
I remember that he was a great combination of strict and kind.  He made us memorize everything, and demanded the best of us, and he did it with a sense of humor and respect.  And I remember his deep belly laugh, and slapping his hands on his legs. He was loved by all.  At our H.S. reunions over the years, he is the teacher we talked most about. 
I posted an announcement on the Norwalk High ’70 private Facebook page of 140 students, and I think brother Tom posted on the private NHS Alumni page of 3,000 students.  I hope the response is overwhelming.  I hope his PA and NY friends know the extraodinary impact he had on the lives of thousands of young people in Norwalk. I am lucky and honored that he was in my life.  
“And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth”.  – The Last Words of David. In our ’70 NHS Yearbook I gave Mr. Matz a new sport coat with these sheet music words pasted on his photo. Sorry, not able to copy the photo here, but happy to share it, and others, if you want to email me. 
Peace and blessings to you as you grieve your loss.  I hope Jan 3rd is a wonderful celebration of his life, a life well-llved.  
Kenny Hosack, Littleton, Colorado 
 
 

December 29, 2022

Mr. Matz was our choir director at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, CT. I was privileged to have been one of his students in the years 1969-1971. His love of music and teaching had a lifelong, positive effect on me, and on many, many others. He was a truly gifted musician and leader who produced fantastic results. May God bless Mr. Charles Matz and his family. We remember him with great love. RIP.

December 29, 2022

Mr. Katz was our High School Choir Director, the famous Norwalk High School Choir, Norwalk, Ct.  He was a well respected choral director, a tough task master, but what he expected he got back from us in return.  We were Ct. state wide famous.  Great memories of our well known Norwalk High School Christmas concert.  This was 1968-1971.  May he RIP.  🙏🏻🥲