Harold Leo Matyn

Harold Leo Matyn, May 24th 1931 –April 9th 2023

Harold “Hal” Leo Matyn passed away peacefully in Troy, Michigan, on Easter Sunday morning. Hal was born on May 24, 1931, in Detroit, to parents Edward and Eva Matyn of Balfour Road. He lived in Detroit along with siblings Robert, Jeannine, Lois, Sally, Richard, Martha, and Nancy. Hal attended the University of Detroit and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1954. In 1956, he enlisted in the US Army, and served at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri) in the 9th Battalion’s Company A Accounting Department, and at Fort Rucker (Alabama) in the Comptroller Section of the Army Aviation Center. He was honorably discharged in 1958, having achieved the rank of Specialist 3rd Class.

Hal obtained his CPA certification and worked for Rutten, Welling & Co. in Detroit until starting his own CPA firm, Matyn & Pierce, P.C., in 1965. He left there to join Roy O’Brien Ford in 1986 until his retirement as Controller in 2016, and found great satisfaction helping the dealership maintain prosperity during good times and bad. At his retirement party, it was humorously said of Hal’s good character, “If you lost your wallet, and Hal found it, Hal’s the kind of guy who would not only get your wallet back, but it would probably have more money in it than when you lost it!”

Hal was a true gentleman, a devout Catholic, had a great singing voice, was a committed Tigers fan, and had a bone-crushing handshake… even in his nineties. Hal was an avid fisherman who stored his favorite reels in Crown Royal satchels. Hal loved traveling, adventure, ships and all things nautical, classical music, good food, friends, family, and God. A long-standing member of the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellows of Detroit, Hal was generous with his time for worthy causes. Hal always saw the positive in people and in all situations. Those who knew him also knew his kind heart.

He married Rosemarie MacNeil in 1957, and spent many happy years together until her passing in 1999.Their many nieces and nephews remember Uncle Hal as wonderfully loving and always their biggest fan.

Hal is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Jeannette Matyn (Hudson), his sister, Lois, numerous nieces, nephews, children by marriage, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A Memorial donation to the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellows Fund of Detroit, in lieu of flowers, is appreciated.

Please visit www.detroitgoodfellows.org

Press the donate button they can Hal in the “notes”section on the donor info screen

OR

mailing a check to the Detroit Goodfellows at PO Box 44444 Detroit 48244.