Boleslaw K Matras

Boleslaw K. Matras died peacefully on January 16, 2022, at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH.  He was 89.  Mr. Matras was born in Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, the son of Josef and Mariana Matras on January 18, 1932.  He had an older stepbrother, Edek Miesnik, who died at the age of 18 in 1934 in Male Dobre, Poland.  He emigrated to America on March 11, 1960, with his wife Krystyna and three sons.  He was sponsored by an American relative, Andrej Nita, and his wife who lived in Manchester, NH.  The Matras family owes a debt of gratitude to Andrej Nita and the related John Plaza family for their great efforts in overseeing the successful emigration process for the new immigrant family.

Mr. Matras was a textile machine operator for 20 years at the Waumbec Mill yard in Manchester, NH.  He also worked 9 years for Pandora Sportswear and 8 years for Felton Brush until retirement in 1997.  He was a member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral for 60 years and enjoyed preparing meals for sale at the Cathedral kitchen.  His hobbies included vegetable gardening and cultivating fruit trees in his backyard.  He also enjoyed singing Polish folklore songs for family and friends.

Mr. Matras lived in Poland during a difficult time when World War II began.  He was 7 years old when Poland was attacked by Germany on September 1, 1939.  Within a month, all schools were closed due to the war, and his formal education ended permanently.  Poland was occupied by Germany for the next 5 years until the Russian army began to drive the German army westward.  During the spring of 1943, his father, Josef, was arrested by the German Schutzstaffel (SS) for harboring Russian POWs in his barn.  His father never returned home again, and it made life difficult for him and his mother.  During the winter of 1944, the Russian army took shelter in people’s homes in Poland by force, and residents were expected to feed them.  World War II left a permanent psychological impact on him. 

Following the war, his mother, Marianna, died of pneumonia, and he became an orphan at the age of 16.  By law, he was forced to take refuge with his godfather, Stanislaw Sochaj, in a nearby village. While staying with his godfather, he returned to his original home daily to take care of the house and feed the animals.  Mr. Matras was introduced to his future wife, Krystyna Charchula, when he was 17 years old and married her at the age of 18.  Krystyna came from a large family that included 4 brothers and 4 sisters who have all since died in Poland.  She had a slightly better home life than her future husband, Boleslaw, did during the German and Russian occupation.  Before coming to America, he and his wife earned a living as local farmers by selling crops and pigs.  

Mr. Matras was predeceased by his wife Krystyna whose profession was a seamstress for many years until she died on June 23, 2010.  Surviving family members include, Gene Matras and wife Sharon of Pittsfield, NH, Myron Matras of Richmond, VA, Chester Matras of Hooksett, NH, and Alina Gibbert and husband Greg of Grand Junction, CO. Other survivors include six grandchildren who live in NH, one who lives in Watertown, WI, one who lives in Los Angeles, CA, and one who lives in Henderson, NV.  In addition, there are six great-grandchildren who reside in NH.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Cathedral located at 166 Pearl Street in Manchester, NH.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.phaneuf.net