We've Lost Another Pro-life Warrior

Chris Matera, Vice President of Hike for Life Inc, and Site Coordinator for the McKinney Site, Director of Pro-Life activities and Past Grand Knight of Council 9903, Former District Deputy of District 78 (McKinney, Sherman, Dennison, and Bonham), and Faithful Navigator of Father Michael J McGivney Assembly 3004 passed away on August 17, 2013 after a long illness.

I first met Chris at a Rosary Prayer Vigil outside of Planned Parenthood in McKinney and then at several Hike for Life and March for Life events. The man was a real pro-life warrior and a great example all around. I am saddened by his loss, and I know he will be missed by many.

Here's his obituary. Please note that as of this writing, the link to sign his registry was not yet available:

Christopher A. Matera, age 57, of Van Alstyne, Texas passed away on August 17, 2013. 

He was born March 3, 1956, in Sterling, Illinois, to Lee Angelo and Blanche Ann (Schmitt) Matera. On April 15, 1989, Chris married Noreen Ann Cipriani in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Chris loved to garden and became a certified Master Gardener in the state of Texas. 

Chris was a devout Catholic and an active member of the Knights of Columbus since he joined the organization in February 2000. He held the position of Director of Pro-Life activities and was a past Grand Knight of Council 9903 at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Chris also served as District Deputy of District 78, which is comprised of councils in McKinney, Sherman, Dennison, and Bonham. He joined the patriotic section of the Knights in 2001 and was a Deputy Color Corp Commander and most recently, the Color Corp Commander. At the time of his death Chris was the leader of Father Michael J McGivney Assembly 3004, holding the title Faithful Navigator. At the regional level, he was a member of the Exemplar Team for the Third Texas District of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. 

He is survived by his wife, Noreen A. Matera of Van Alstyne, TX; father, Lee A. Matera of Overland Park, KS; mother, Blanche A. Matera of Des Moines, IA; sisters, LeAnn Hufford of Polk City, IA, Mary Dunlop of Anthem, AZ and Sara Matera of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean; brothers, Dr. Andrew Matera of Columbia, MO, Frank Matera of Flower Mound, TX and Michael Matera of Hockenheim, Germany; and thirteen nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas. A rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Friday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas, with a visitation to follow from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. To convey condolences and to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hike for Life Inc. at www.hikeforlifetexas.org or St. Michael’s Church, 411 Paula Road, McKinney, TX 75069, in memory of Chris Matera.