By Naomi Hatch “I’m Larry Matyas. I own the Carriage House on West Garden Lane, high in the White Mountains, in beau-tiful Snowflake, Ariz., where every day is just another day in paradise.” Most everyone in the community has heard this brief statement as the Snowflake town councilman intro-duced himself. Matyas passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 24, and funeral services were held on July 30 in Snow-flake. “Finding out the night of our council meeting that he had passed away was a real shock to all of us,” said Snowflake Town Manager Paul Watson. “We knew he wasn’t going to be at the meeting because he didn’t feel well. “His famous quote that ended ‘just another day in paradise’ was perfect, and I think that’s what he is doing now, just another day in paradise,” said Watson. The Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce luncheons won’t be quite the same without the monthly introduction of the “First Dude,” whose wife Patti served as the chamber’s past president. Larry was generally at functions supporting the community. He had served several years on the Snowflake Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as the Northland Pioneer College Foundation Board, the Snowflake Fire Board and Silver Creek Senior Citizens Board. “He was a great asset to the town council and was very active promoting a lot of good activities in town,” said Mayor Kelly Willis. “We are grateful for Larry’s service so many years on the planning and zoning com-mission. He was acquainted with the town public services and active in the Chamber of Commerce. Larry was civic minded and we’re going to miss him. “We’re going to miss his sense of humor, quick wit and the jokes that kept us laughing,” said the mayor. “I’m nearly perfect, thanks for asking,” was Matyas’ response to the question, “How are you?” His wife Patti says, “Larry is now perfect.” Matyas was the oldest of five children, born in Central Lake, Mich., on Dec. 17, 1947, to Paul and Wilma Matyas. He moved his family to Snowflake after he married. He had a great sense of humor, which could have begun when he came into this world on the kitchen table. He married Patti on April 1. He loved his five children and 13 grandchildren, and was excited to be expecting another grandchild and his first great-grandchild. He loved the people who lived at the Carriage House and was a very generous per-son. Matyas served in the Navy and loved his country. Years ago, he was a member of the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department, where he made many good friends. He also worked at the paper mill for a while before he and Patti started the Carriage House.