My dear Sara

 

I am so sorry for your lost

so sad that Chuy is gone, hope to live to 94 like him.

love you

Dear Sara and Family,

Jesse was such a sweet man!  So glad I had a chance to meet him.  Sending lots of love to all who mourn his loss!

Jullie

Sara, Jane and Families, my deepest condolences in the loss of Jesse! We were friends since we were in our twenties. He truly loved you all so very much! Now May he rest in peace, and be cared for by God!

Sara and Jane,  thank you so much for giving us the news of your dad's  passing.   He was such a sweet and fun man as was your mom. We loved when they would drive down to visit all the Kansas cousins. 
May he rest in the loving arms of Jesus and now be reunited with his beloved wife and daughter.   Rest in peace ‼️

Dear Sara and Jane, I am deeply saddened by the passing of my uncle Chuy. I share in your grief with all my love, and I will always hold his memory close to my heart.

Please accept my condolences for the loss of Jesse Matuk, a beloved father and pillar of the community. “Chuy” will be remembered for his kindness, eternal optimism, and sharp wit (followed by a wink and a grin to let you know he was joking). 

A devout Catholic, he attended mass regularly, singing the hymns by heart and walking to the altar to receive the Eucharist until his final week. His faith informed every aspect of his life. 

Not only was “The 10 Commandments” his favorite film, its tenets were the code he lived by. An honest and hardworking businessman, a faithful husband and provider, Chuy had a pure heart that found the good in people and the silver lining of every situation. 

His family came first. He kept their memory alive with the many stories he told of growing up in Mexico, raised by his cherished Mother and entrepreneurial siblings and building a beautiful life with his wife (his “Queen”) and daughters (his “princesses”) in Chicago Heights. 

A self-described “people person”, he loved people, and people loved him. Breakfast at Skyline Restaurant was often interrupted by old friends, who would stop by his booth with a warm hug and take a moment to reminisce about what made Chuy so memorable to the Chicago Heights community: his late-night tow truck rescues in snowstorms, his competitive golf swing, and his tender heart for animals. He always saved a little bit of his leftovers to feed the neighborhood strays.

His signature whistles (a different whistle for each person and occasion) announced his presence before the rich timbre of his Spanish accent filled the room. If the mood struck him, he would break out in song, singing the classics of his youth by Frank Sinatra or Pedro Infante.

Raising his coffee mug into the air (always without alcohol), he would toast to “dinero y amor”, his favorite western tv shows playing in the background. He would tap his billfold, intricately wrapped with multicolored rubber bands, always securely tucked into the breast pocket of his flannel shirt. It was his philosophy. Working hard to provide, loving his family deeply, and leaving the world better than he found it. 

Unlike many men in his generation, he was not afraid to show his emotions. He never missed an opportunity to tell his family and friends how much they meant to him. With a crooked fingertip pointed in your direction and a smile that reached his warm brown eyes, he’d say “I love you.” His words lingered long after he settled back into his well-worn chair, a toothpick in between his teeth. He had a warmth and strength of character that never faded, despite his body growing frail. 

In his final days, Chuy was surrounded by the same warmth he had freely given throughout his life. Even as his body grew tired, his spirit remained tender and in present moment. He still reached for the hands of those he loved, offering a soft smile or a whispered “I love you.” There was a peacefulness surrounding him, even as those moments grew quieter and his breaths grew slower. He knew he was cherished, protected, and never alone.

Chuy Matuk will be sorely missed. Though he is now undoubtedly in heaven, reunited with his loved ones who predeceased him, he will be forever in our hearts. We will carry his memory with us always, as a comfort and inspiration.