Obituary of Matthew Nathaniel Hefner

Matthew "Matt" Nathaniel Hefner, Navy Veteran, 62, of Nichols New York, sadly & unexpectedly left us peacefully on 2.8.2023 due to an unanticipated heart condition. Matthew graduated from Tioga Central High School in 1979, attended B.C.C. Broome County Community College (Computer Science), Jackson County Technical School (Automotive) and Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperation Educational Services (Industrial Drafting and Design). Matthew worked at Ingersoll Rand in the industrial drafting division before joining the Navy. He honorably served in the United States Navy (1982-1986) as one of the most treasured experiences of his life. Matthew loved the routine, the structure, the uniforms, the working & training, traveling around the world, and the honor of service. After the Navy, Matthew worked for 20 years at Lopke Contracting, Inc. in Apalachin, New York, as an 18 Wheeler Truck Driver, delivering rock products & machinery in New York and Pennsylvania. He enjoyed those big rig trucks, the driving expeditions & the people. He even encouraged his Father to get his 18 wheeler trucking license, post retirement! Matthew loved living in the peaceful open countryside with a nearby creek and mountains all around, working on his own trucks, collecting vintage tools and equipment at the local thrift shop, Tioga Open Door Mission (his mother's favorite place) and at garage sales. He had quite a collection! He loved collecting all the latest Apple smart phones & watches, and became the iPhone Guru in the family. Matthew was doing things he loved, living where he loved. All of it was his paradise. Matthew was especially blessed with the good fortune in life to have a best buddy Craig Cressman & Family, who, for nearly 50 years, included him as family in their lives. The Hefner family returns that love - Craig & Family is part of the Hefner family. He is survived by his parents, William H. Hefner (Navy Veteran) & Thelma Christine Richardson Hefner, Florida. He is survived by his siblings in birth order: Rachel Hefner (Michigan) , Esther Hefner Dorrance (Florida) , John Hefner – Navy Veteran (South Carolina), Sarah Hefner (South Carolina), Rebecca Hefner (South Carolina) and his brother from another mother, Craig Cressman, (Newark Valley, New York). The family will receive friends Friday, March 31, 2023 from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. with A celebration of Matt's life and full military honors being accorded at 2:00 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego, NY. Condolences may be made to Matt's family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com. To view family pictures of Matthew throughout his life, please click on the TRIBUTE WALL button on the upper left of this page. Add your own pictures and/or comment on pictures. Add your own tribute statements or candles. The family highly encourages your tribute statements as all will be lovingly read to Matthew’s Mom & Dad many times in the coming months and years. Matthew’s parents will be unable to attend due to their health condition(s) preventing long distance travel.