After a life spent in service to music and his students, Michael F. Mattia, Jr. died on December 29, 2021.  He leaves behind his son, Michael; his granddaughters, Maren and Evelyn; his sister, Michelle; his nieces and nephews Juliet, Shelly, Michael, and Brian; and countless current and former students.  Growing up in Bellrose, Queens, he ran around with the "Belle Boys," a group of friends who remained in close contact their entire lives. A graduate of St. Francis Prep., he went on to Syracuse University, where he studied music, and later C.W. Post, where he received his masters degree in education. As a music teacher for over 40 years at both the Green Vale School and Friends Academy, he shared his expertise and love of music with hundreds of students, inspiring many to music and teaching careers of their own.  He devoted his life to his son Mike, who followed in his footsteps at Syracuse University. They shared a love of the Orange, the Yankees, and a love-hate relationship with the Giants. Together they visited Europe and South America, and road-tripped down the Pacific Coast Highway in California, never failing to have an adventure and return with stories of hijinks and things gone awry. Such devotion carried over to his granddaughters, who share his love of music and have hopefully inherited his talent. Other than his son, the central piece of his life was music. He composed and arranged music for his students' concerts and for his own bands' gigs and recordings. He played with the Sidewinders, Uncle Chapin, Pearly, South Street and Pearl Street over the last 50 years. He loved reading, drinking good red wine, and going out to eat especially with his friends. He was the first to crack a joke, often at his own expense, and was easygoing about everything but his hair—because, after all, he always said it was "better to look good than to feel good." He will be missed by all who knew him.  A wake will be held on Wednesday, January 5, at Francis P. DeVine Funeral Home in Oyster Bay, NY from 2:00–4:00 pm and 7:00–9:00 pm. A burial service will follow on Saturday, January 8, at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Huntington, NY at 10:00 am. Masks are required to enter the Funeral Home regardless of vaccination status.