I wanted to give my condolences to all the family.  Matta was like family to me.   I had the privilege of working with him at NC State, helping him to get his restaurant open, and then sharing many evenings together at the restaurant, especially on Karoake weekends.  He was kind and generous and even introduced me to his wife and children, allowing me to truly get to know them as well.     The world seems like a much emptier place since you have left it, my friend.  

I will never forget meeting Tio, I was a younger long-haired guy in the mid 1990's looking for some part time work when I saw the sign in Las Margaritas window "Bartender Needed". I went inside the restaurant in the middle of the afternoon and he was the only one there. He told me they called him "Tio", he made me pretty nervous. "Tio, sir, I just finished bartending school and I'd like to work here". He got on the phone with Alberto and after a period of time speaking in Spanish he came back to me and said "OK but you gotta do one thing, you have to cut that hair". So I went to the salon in the same shopping center and cut it part of the way and came back to show Tio I was serious. "No, go back and cut it some more". In the end he sent me back 3 TIMES. I thought, "Man this guy just doesn't like long hair". It was several years later when I married his niece Pilar that she showed me some photos, "Honey, that's Tio"... with LONG HAIR! Man, I'll never get that hair back!

People mentioned when Tio gave them "the look". I worked for him about a year when Pili came to work there. We started to date but kept it sort of a secret, at least we thought so. I started noticing Tio down at the register would sometimes look up at the bar and give me "the look". Or out somewhere in the restaurant, "the look". It was one Friday night when the karaoke crowd was settling down when I felt something strange, and right next to me from the kitchen Tio was standing there with the full-on look. I knew what I had to do. I went up to him, it felt like the first day I met him. "Tio, sir, I really care a lot for your niece and would like to date her". I could tell by the look that I had better treat her well and not mess up or I would have him to deal with. 

Tio meant so much to all of us, we loved him dearly and I am blessed to be welcomed into the family. And my son Nick has the honor of having his first drink with Tio. Of course Nick was about 3 years old at the time! We miss you Tio.

To the Matta and Bhar Family,

We are so very deeply sorry for the loss of Mr. Matta (Elizabeth’s Father & Grandfather to Ethan & Lucas) he truly was the backbone of the family!
Mr. Matta came to the U.S. from Columbia - a bold move and started a good life for himself and his family! We all will be remembering the great hospitality shown to us at the restaurant. He would never leave until he knew everyone was taken care of!

It seemed the family and the restaurant were synonymous as home away from home! Mr. Matta always had a smile on his face as he loved life and his family very much!!!

I still have fond memories of the wedding of my Brother to his beautiful bride Elizabeth and the celebration that followed!

We will all miss him-I cannot believe I will not see him again. But the memories of Mr. Matta will remain in everyone who associated with him, knew him and of course his family!!!

Words cannot comfort a loss as big as this to his family. In time you will learn to move on -not today or tomorrow but much later. You will carry the memories of your Father/ Grandfather in your hearts!  Memories of the good times as well as the bad and through it all he was always there!!!  

If you are religious, think of your Father/Grandfather looking down from Heaven with a big smile as he watches over his family forever!!!

With our deepest sympathies and condolences from the Bhar family to the Matta Family…may you find peace one day as your Father/Grandfather lives in you, in your heart and will always be there no matter what!  

With our deepest love and sympathies,

With Love,

Dad, Mom & Ameet 


Solo los que compartimos tiempo con el Tío sabemos lo que significa una risa contagiosa. El Tío se reía con todo su cuerpo, con todo su corazón, con todo su ser, con toda su energía! Siempre optimista, familiar, dedicado y con una generosidad que todos sus hijos heredaron. Supo escoger y compartió su vida con la mujer más dulce y dedicada que he conocido.  Un ser maravilloso que nos dejó aquí tristes pero no desolados. Sabemos que está reunido con los que se nos fueron primero, haciéndolos reír y viendo con orgullo la hermosa huella que dejó en los corazones de todos nosotros! ♥️❣️

Familia,
Desde lejos les envío mi más sentido pésame y aunque por las circunstancias no puedo estar presente, quiero que sepan que estoy con ustedes en espíritu, mente y alma. 

Hermano Eliecer- que mi Dios te tenga en su eterna Gloría! Agradezco todos los mementos tan especiales que compartimos. Te extrañaremos mucho!

Hermanos por Siempre!!!
Leopoldo De Leon Matta

"Ni en inglés ni en español, alcanzan las palabras para definir lo que fue el Tio Eliécer para esta familia.
Ningún ser que lo haya conocido, puede decir que no tuvo algo qué aprenderle, o algo qué agradecerle.
Fue un hijo amoroso, hermano cómplice , papà estricto pero que siempre dio ejemplo de entrega y responsabilidad.
Su pelo largo, en señal de rebeldía, que recogía para jugar fútbol, con maestría.
Fue un hombre justo, enemigo de las desigualdades.
Bastión de esta familia, un "niño grande", travieso y "tomador de pelo", pero quizàs la palabra que mejor lo define es GENEROSIDAD.
Pensó en los demàs hasta a la hora de partir.
Tio Eliécer, seràs eterno, porque bajo tus brazos protectores nos albergaste, y de manera sorprendente, cupimos todos.
Prometo jamàs olvidarte. te amo tío.
Tu sobrina que te extraña, Viviana.

Eliecer is our daughter Leigh’s father in law. When Leigh and Brian became engaged, he welcomed us into his family with open arms and an open heart. Eliecer was always smiling and knew how to make you feel special. The night of the rehearsal dinner for Leigh and Brian’s wedding, we sat together. I listened while he told me so many stories about his family. He beamed with love and pride as he exclaimed over and over “family is everything!!”. We are so grateful to know him. May his family find peace in knowing they are everything to him.
Nancy and Jeff Wolford

Matta was a great coworker and friend. I worked with Matta at NCSU and some side jobs. He was a man who had a talent to repair things with whatever was available to work with. Enjoyed eating at his restaurant when he managed it. But most enjoyed the time just talking to him and sharing experiences. He was always about serving his family. He will be surely missed by all whoever had the privilege of meeting him. Good bye friend. Steve Nettles

My condolences.  Less than a week ago my mind wondered to Matta. I haven't had a way to reach out to Matta for many years. I worked with Matta as he preferred to be called at NC State University. We both were equals in our positions, both taking care of the resident halls on campus, for housing. 
It was a sad and happy day when Matta told me he was leaving the college to open a restaurant. He was considered one of the originals in housing as was I.  He was the guy that I clung to for a laugh.  He was my confident when we decided to challenge the status quo of the university.  He was a friend. 
And boy could he put a spin on a ping pong ball. Such a huge smile when he knew that he had you beat. Losing to a guy with such a powerful smile almost made you feel no pain that you had just lost. 
He was beloved by all. Murals of his sayings were painted on shop walls by the students he worked with. One that stands out. DO ME A FAVOR was always how he got you motivated to start the next job. His work ethics were beyond reproach.
I am going to miss him and so will all.  Terry Todd

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Eliecer Matta

2 octobre 1952 – 15 juillet 2020

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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