Dr. Perry Matz

Dr. Perry Marshall Matz, 96, of Bradenton FL passed away on Monday, March 2, 2020.

Born in Shillington PA, on December 22, 1923, he was the son of William H. Matz and Cora Amelia (Hertzog) Matz.

Perry was a 1941 graduate of Shillington High School, attended Albright College, and graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1951.  He was a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honorary society, and valedictorian of his class.

Perry graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine in 1952 and began a two-year Oral Surgery residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in1953, interrupted by serving for two years in the U.S. Navy as a Sr. Lieutenant in the Dental Corps.  He completed his final year of residency and, in 1956, founded the Reading Oral Surgery Group on Lancaster Avenue in Shillington PA.

Perry was the first board-certified oral surgeon in Berks County.  During his Presidency, the Reading Oral Surgery Group expanded to include five oral surgeons and three satellite offices.  He practiced for 35 years and retired to Bradenton FL for 34 years.

Perry was a Presbyterian and served multiple terms as an Elder and Clerk of Session at both First (now Park Road) Presbyterian Church in Reading PA and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bradenton FL.  He served as member and officer in many dental organizations in Berks County and Pennsylvania.  His hobbies included scrimshaw, computing and international travel.

Perry was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Clara (Jones) Matz and is survived by his sister, Sydne Diener, three children: Margaret “Pegi” A. Copley of Bradenton FL, Perry Marshall Matz, Jr. [Susan Thomas] of Greenville SC and Nancy M. Hulsey [Keith M. Hulsey] of Dallas TX; five grandchildren:  Aimee Hobwood [Andrew Kramm], Mark Hobwood [Annette], Allen Hulsey, Anne Hulsey, and Daniel Hulsey [Isabelle]; five great grandchildren:  Catarina, Aimee, Ryan, Levi and Sophia Hobwood, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service at Bean Funeral Home in Shillington PA at 10:00 am with internment at Pleasant View Cemetery in Sinking Spring PA, immediately following, will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020.  A celebration of life service at Westminster Point Pleasant – the Towers in Bradenton FL will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Park Road Presbyterian Church of Reading PA and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Bradenton FL.