Jake Arthur Mathis, 57, of Felicia Street, Springfield, departed this life on Saturday, (February 3, 2007) at Heritage Hall West Nursing Home. Born in Hartford, a son of the late Willie "Jack" Mathis and the late Novella (Fleeting) Mathis, he attended Hartford schools and Springfield Technical Community College. Mr. Mathis was a Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a retired Springfield firefighter, a member of Firefighters Local #648, and the Springfield Black Firefighters Assn. Jake is survived by his wife, Barbara A. (Bomar) Mathis of Springfield; three sons, Quincy Mathis of NC, Marvin Mathis of Worcester, MA, and Walter Francis (and wife Jamie) of Chicopee, MA; four daughters, Gwendolyn Mathis of NC, Sharron Bartlette (and husband Matthew) of SC, Rukaiyah Saforo (and husband Albert) of Worcester, and Crystal Charvis of Springfield; three brothers, Draper Mathis (and wife Julia) of Bristol, Robert Mathis (and wife Mary) of Atlanta, GA, and David Mathis (and wife Victoria) of Bloomfield; two sisters, Helen "Daisy" Mathis (and companion Joe) and Ellen "Kolsie" Wright (and husband Alfonso) both of Hartford; eight grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews who will greatly miss their Uncle "Hickey". He was predeceased by siblings, Noel Mathis and Jackie Shannon, and a daughter, Anya Francis. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Daniels New Bethel C.O.G.I.C, 1321 Dwight Street. Harrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Hartford Courant on Feb. 7, 2007.