Mr. Israel Matos, 55, of Deerfield, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016 at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in New Hartford. Israel was born on June 12, 1961 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the son of Santiago and Providence (Jimenez) Matos. He was raised and educated in Puerto Rico and attended Catholic University there. On May 1, 1982 Israel married Elizabeth Torres in Puerto Rico, a loving union of 34 years. For many years, he was employed as an iron worker with the Iron Workers Union local 580 in NY City, retiring in October 2010. Israel enjoyed playing salsa music, cards, dominos and pool. He was an outdoor enthusiast who loved going to the Adirondacks where he enjoyed bike riding, horseback riding, going to the beach and swimming. Israel found great comfort from reading and studying the bible and for four years was a member of the Bible Institute. He also received great joy from mentoring the youth and in 2010 was a youth Pastor in the Bronx as well as a Pastor in NY City for two years, until he became ill. He was a member of Redeemer Church in N. Utica. Israel will be remembered as a kind and loving man and will be missed by all who knew him. Mr. Matos is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Yesenia Matos of Utica and her boyfriend Nathan Mizrahi and Natacha Matos of Wisconsin and her boyfriend, Alex Klatt; one son and daughter-in-law, Israel D. and Elaina Matos of Utica; his mother, Providence Matos of Rochester; three cherished grandchildren, Israel David Matos, Jr, Isabella Christine Matos and Jacob Israel Henry; 21 siblings, including sisters, Vilma Alvardo of Rochester, Neida Alicea of Puerto Rico, Irene Alicea of Rochester, Sally Matos of Orlando, FL and brothers, Genova Alicea of Texas and Grismand Matos of NY City; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David Torres and Eloina Rosado of Puerto Rico as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Matos’ funeral will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Redeemer Church, 931 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. His burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Utica. Calling hours for family and friends are Friday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica.