FOX, MATTHEW IGNATIUS III,

FOX, MATTHEW IGNATIUS III, resident of Cape May, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at the age of 79. Matt was born in New York City, on April 10, 1934, the son of Lucille (Reilly) and Matthew Fox ll. Raised in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, Matt graduated with honors from Butler High School, and then attended Rutgers University on scholarship. Matt graduated from Rutgers in 1954 and worked briefly for New Jersey Bell before taking a position with Prentice Hall, Inc. With this new opportunity, Matt began what would be a long and successful career in publishing. His marriage to Ellen Hunter took place at this time, with whom he had three children, Cathleen, Matthew, and Patricia. Together with friends, they shared a summer home in Cape May, where many happy seaside vacations (and parties!) were enjoyed. Matts steady success as an editor in Prentice Halls science and engineering technical book division brought fresh challenges when he was asked to head up a new subsidiary of Prentice Hall. In 1971 Matt moved Ellen and their children to Reston, Virginia; Reston Publishing was born. Initially working from the basement of the familys new home, Matt and a handful of young editors brought the fledgling company into the forefront of technical publishing for the first generation of microcomputer users and programmers. In a short time, Reston Publishing became one of the most successful subsidiaries in Prentice Halls history. Matt returned to New Jersey in 1981, as a senior editor for Prentice Hall. After retirement, Matt continued to work as an independent consultant for several years before making his year round home in Cape May. Coinciding with his career was a keen interest in politics. At age 31, Matt became the youngest serving mayor of River Vale, N.J. He was also actively involved with the Democratic Party in New Jersey and Virginia. Matt was a long time member of the Beach Club of Cape May. He enjoyed reading crime fiction, watching thrillers on film and television, and was an avid fan of Jeopardy! (stubbornly refusing to answer in the form of a question! ). He travelled extensively while working- throughout the United States and Europe. On one memorable journey, he accompanied the Irish poet and Nobel Laureate Seamus Heany on a speaking tour of Ireland. Matt regularly visited his children in Los Angeles, Godalming, England, and Wisconsin. For many years he took a very long walk daily, and likewise, swam in the ocean every day in the summer season. Matt never owned a pair of blue jeans, smoked in his car with the windows rolled up, and considered Richard Nixon his personal enemy. His opinionated and dynamic manner of storytelling was always entertaining- especially when political topics were involved. He enjoyed a good heated discussion- yet this contentious exterior belied a kind-hearted nature. Throughout the years, in summer, he hosted his children, and grandchildren in Cape May, where many hours were spent at the Beach Club, surrounded by old friends. Matt is survived by daughters Cathleen (Ian) Perrin of Godalming, England, and Patricia Fox of Raleigh, N.C., and by his son, Matthew (Myeva) Fox of Regina, Canada. His beloved grandchildren, Ian and Patricia Perrin, and Darwin Fox of Regina, Canada. Nephews John Strampfer (Nancy) of Chester N.J. Dr Michael (Roberta) Strampfer of New Hampshire, Robert (Jan) Strampfer of Long Island, and niece Marie (Strampfer) Bowrosen, Longtime friends Maria Curry and Bill Caracci. The family would like to thank the staff of the Courthouse Convalescent Center (Cape May, NJ) where he was cared for so well in the last few days of his life. Visitation 12:30 to 1:30pm, Service 1:30pm, Wednesday, August 7th Our Lady Star of the Sea Church 525 Washington Street Cape May, NJ Interment Service 1:00pm Thursday, August 8th Milton Cemetery 106 Milton Road. Oak Ridge, NJ, Arrangements by Spilker Funeral Home. www.spilkerfuneralhome.com