HERKIMER - Matthew J. Pupecki, 79, of Osborne Hill Road, formerly of Schuyler Lake, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, Nov. 3, 2002, in Valley Health Services Inc. He was born June 7, 1923, in Central Falls, R.I., son of the late Stephen and Mary Sulmicki Pupecki. Matthew was raised on the family dairy farm in Schuyler Lake and graduated from Richfield Springs High School. An honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, he served his country during World War II. For many years, he worked as a shop mechanic for the Kelsey Hayes Co. in Utica and in later years was a bus driver for the Herkimer County Office of the Aging. He retired in 1996. Mr. Pupecki has lived in Herkimer for the past 15 years, coming from Mohawk. He was of the Catholic faith. He had a true love for the outdoors and nature; much of his relaxation time was spent watching and feeding wild birds. He also enjoyed buying and selling antiques. Surviving him are one son, James Pupecki of Schuyler Lake; two daughters, Cathy and her husband Charles Crist of Schuyler Lake and Gloria Combs of Dryden; three grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and his long time family friends and extended family, Susan and Robert Lyon, Robert Lyon Jr., Jaclyn Lyon and Donna Conroy, all of Herkimer, Ronald and Jackie Conroy of Liverpool and Kelly Smith of Oneonta. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his dear friend and companion, Esther Theriault, on Aug. 8, 1998. A graveside service will be held with military honors Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Richfield Springs. The Rev. Terrance Healy will officiate. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer.