Mathew Balthazar Correa

Matt’s youth was spent relaxing on the beach, swimming in the ocean and playing at the sports field during his free time. As a young adult, his interests were to pursue opportunities away from home, which brought him to work in Saudi Arabia, England and the Netherlands. While in Wimbledon, England he found the love of his life in the summer of 1962 and chased her to Amsterdam. He married Ansje Henriette Kraiipoel on October, 3rd that year. In 1964, with $200 to his name, he immigrated to the United States, landing in Los Angeles. His search for the American dream was found in the form of a successful entrepreneur starting his own business in Medical Supply Sales. In search of clean living he left Southern California for the rolling foothills of Auburn, CA, outside of Sacramento. There he spent the grand years of life pursuing his interests in tennis, food, tennis, family and of course tennis.

Matt was an avid cook, and would often be found in an apron at the barbeque grilling trout or in the kitchen making “rocket fuel” curries, entertaining any who would dare try a bite. Sports were also a huge part of his life; cricket, field hockey and tennis being among the sports which he accelerated. He was a beloved coach of the Placer High School girls field hockey, leading them to a league championship. He was most passionate about tennis, and spent countless hours competing at the Auburn Regional Park tennis courts, and was an avid fan watching live matches and tournaments until the end.

He was a loving husband, married to his beloved wife, Ans for 60 years. Always a good dancer, he was first to the dance floor with Ans in tow. Together, they had a passion for adventure and travel, and toured numerous countries.

Matt was a compassionate father to his two boys Matthew Jr. and Robert, always attending school and sporting events. When both his boys attended college, he was a frequent visitor on their campus taking in soccer games and running sprints on the sidelines. He had a visible joy in the love he showed his two grandsons, always entertaining them and lovingly calling them “Shorty!”, even when they grew to tower over him. He enjoyed playing his harmonica when both were young and sharing his joy of tennis throughout their lives.

Matt was always optimistic and patriotic. He didn’t believe in limits. He loved his adopted country and told many that this was the land of opportunity.

Matt is survived by wife Ansje, sons Matthew Jr. (Annie), Robert (Linda), grandsons William, and Marco. Matt also has numerous surviving relatives in India, Canada and Australia.

Plans for a life celebration will be forthcoming.