C. Matilde and Alton Dale Hart

C. Matilde Hart  1/12/1936 - 9/25/2021

C. Matilde Hart (known as Cuttie), 85, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021. A wife of 65 years and mother of five, grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 15 was an avid reader, a prolific knitter and crocheter and staunchly religious. She was a giving and loving mom who will be dearly missed by all. 

Cuttie was the oldest daughter of the late Francisco and Josephine Rodriguez (nee Martinez), from New York City, originally from Puerto Rico. After her high school graduation from Washington Irving High School, she became a switchboard operator in NYC and while working there she met her beloved husband Dale, over the telephone while he was stationed in Puerto Rico. They conversed for one full year until they met in person. After a two-year courtship, they married in 1956 in Pittsburgh, PA. Three children later, they moved back to NYC and eventually relocated to Staten Island and added two more children to her young family. After raising her family, she became a para-professional at P.S. 40 New Brighton. She later worked at Hull Syndicate in NYC as a switchboard operator/receptionist.  

Her home was a staple for many outstanding mouthwatering Thanksgiving holiday dinners and yearly multi-family friends summer get togethers in their large, private backyard. After their retirement, they moved to Springfield, MA for a few years before moving to Winter Haven, FL and resided there for 13 years. They decided to move to Rio Rancho, NM in 2017 to be closer to two of her children and grandchildren, who cared for her and her husband. Many fond family memories were experienced while visiting Cuttie and Dale in their retirement years in different states. 

Preceded in death by her parents, she recently lost her sister, Nilda Boone (nee Rodriguez), brother Frank Rodriguez, sister-in-law, Enelia Rodriguez-Orengo, brother-in-law, Ken Cicerale. 

Besides her husband, Alton Dale, she survived by her children, Janet Lelin Hart (partner Jerry Miranda), Michael Dale Hart, Anita Leslie Tucci (nee Hart) husband, Anton, Kim Denise Matias (nee Hart) husband, Al, Dennis Keith Hart wife, Barbara. 

She loved and cherished her grandchildren, Anne-Lelin Williams, Jillian Carter (nee Williams) (Paulie), LeighAnne Tucci, Christopher Tucci (Catherine), Juliana Stephens (nee Tucci) (Trevor), Alex Matias (Crystal), Michael Matias (Jovie), Wyatt Matias, Lisa Gentile, Robert Gentile (Jillian), Noelle Perusse (nee Hart) (Zach), Jonathan Hart, and 15 beautiful great grandchildren. 

She is also survived by her siblings, Jaime Rodriguez, Richard Rodriguez (Dolores), Adeline Andreano (nee Rodriguez) (Vincent), Josie Cicerale (nee Rodriguez), Nancy Ann Leef (nee Rodriguez) (Ron), and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital would be appreciated. 

Alton Dale Hart  1/31/1935 - 10/3/2021

Alton Dale Hart (known as Dale) 86, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021, surrounded by his loving children, son-in-law, and grandchildren. A husband of 65 years and father of five, grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 15. He loved to dance with his wife, Cuttie, and was often referred to “Fred Astaire” on the dance floor. He participated in the Macy’s Tap O’Mania in 1988. He often could be found playing his guitar or banjo while singing with his children. He also loved doing crossword puzzles, bicycle riding, science fiction movies, western movies, especially John Wayne and was a Star Trek fan.  

Dale was the second oldest of five children to the late Alton Frederick Hart and Elizabeth Hart (nee Habina) of Braddock, PA. He left John Sweatt High School at the age of 17 to join the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was a switchboard operator, stationed in Puerto Rico and fell in love with the voice of a switchboard operator in NYC who would later become his wife. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy and a two-year courtship they married in 1956 in Pittsburgh, PA. Three children later they moved back to NYC and eventually relocated to Staten Island and added two more children to his young family. 

Dale was employed by U.S. Gypsum in Staten Island’s New Brighton until that company closed. He then found employment at Sun Chemical in Rosebank, Staten Island where he was a dye maker for 30 plus years retiring in 1996. 

After his retirement, they moved to Springfield, MA for a few years before moving to Winter Haven, FL. Then in time, they moved to Rio Rancho, NM to be closer to two of her children and grandchildren, who cared for them. Many fond family memories were experienced while visiting Dale and Cuttie in their retirement years in different states. 

Preceded in death by his wife Cuttie by 8 days, also his parents, his sister Joan Variz (nee Hart), his brothers, Patric Raymond Hart, James Hart, sister-in-law Sandra Hart (nee Sisco), sister-in-law, Betty Hart (nee Trafficanti). 

Survived by his 5 children, Janet Lelin Hart (partner Jerry Miranda) Michael Dale Hart, Anita Leslie Tucci, husband Anton, Kim Denise Matias, husband, Al and Dennis Keith Hart, wife, Barbara, brother, LeRoy Gregory Hart, sister-in-law, Monica Hart (nee Bartko), sister-in-law, Patricia Hart (nee Bair), 2 nieces and 11 nephews. 

He loved and cherished his grandchildren Anne-Lelin Williams, Jillian Carter (nee Williams) (Paulie), LeighAnne Tucci, Christopher Tucci (Catherine), Juliana Stephens (nee Tucci) (Trevor), Alex Matias (Crystal), Michael Matias (Jovie), Wyatt Matias, Lisa Gentile, Robert Gentile (Jillian), Noelle Perusse (nee Hart) (Zach), Jonathan Hart, and 15 beautiful great grandchildren. 

He will be dearly missed by all. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital would be appreciated.