Obituary of James A. Matousek

Ravena - James A. Matousek

On Sunday, November 5, 2023, James A. Matousek, age 67, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, after valiantly fighting a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Jim was born on May 5, 1956 to the late Alois and Arline Matousek. He grew up in Schenectady, NY and was a 1974 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School, where he was an all-star wrestler. He spent a lot of his summers on Sacandaga Lake with his parents and sisters boating and fishing and enjoying the lake. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to hunt and fish with his best pals, Bob, Joe and Paul. He loved boating with his family and friends on the Hudson River and took pride in teaching his daughters how to fish, and continuing later, to his absolute joy, teaching his grandchildren the same.

Jim was an RN at Albany Medical Center for almost 40 years where he worked in various units saving countless lives. His legacy of compassion continued long after he retired in 2018, as shown by the large number of former colleagues that visited him during his hospital stays. Jim had a great sense of humor and could make everyone laugh. He had an innate ability to put everyone’s mind at ease. Not only was he a great father, grandfather, son, brother and nurse, many may not have known Jim was also a talented artist and musician.

Survivors include Jim’s girls; beloved wife of 45 years, Betsy, and his daughters Rachel Shevy (Robert), and Katelyn Matousek (Samantha). Additionally, survivors include sisters Patricia Lewandowski (Paul), Cheryl Gilles (Jon), and many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved so much. Jim was also a proud Papa to the lights of his life, his two grandchildren Harrison and Natalie Shevy.

Jim’s family would like to send a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and other medical staff at Albany Medical Center and NYOH who took such excellent care of him and helped him battle all of these years. We would especially like to thank Dr. Boris Schkolnik, Dr. Mihir Raval, and his longtime colleague and friend, Alon Jacobs-Friedman, NP. Your expertise and compassion did not go unnoticed and was so appreciated by Jim.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, November 10th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Applebee Funeral Home located at 403 Kenwood Ave, Delmar, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Jim’s name, or consider joining the “Be the Match” bone marrow donor registry. With just one swab, you could save a life like Jim’s.

Funeral services are private.