Mathew (Mathai) Ouseph Melathe was born in Vembilly, Kerala, India on June 26th,1947, to Aley and Ouseph Melathe; the eighth of nine children in the family. In Kerala, he worked as a school teacher for five years until he immigrated to the United States in 1977.

For the next 48 years, he made New York his home — first in the Bronx and eventually settled in Rockland County. He raised two sons with his wife Alice (Aleyamma) Melathe and was an active member of his beloved church, St. Mary's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church of Rockland. He worked at the MTA for 37 years, retiring as a Supply Logistics Supervisor in 2020.

After a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, Mathew underwent a successful lung transplant in 2022. Despite the many challenges of life as a post-transplant patient, he maintained a positive outlook and a firm resolve to recover until the end. In the last years of his life, he was a joyful presence to the many doctors, nurses, and caregivers who encountered him.

Mathew will be remembered as a faith-filled follower of Christ who was committed to his family, his church, and his community. His playful sense of humor, love of gardening, and kind soul were appreciated by the many siblings, nephews, nieces, friends, children, and grandchildren who were lucky to spend time with him. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Alice; his children, Melvin (Leanne) and Alvin (Martha), and his three grandchildren; Aria, Wells, and  Meena.

Wake will be held Friday, November 7th, 5:00pm - 8:30pm at the Malankara Archdiocesan Cathedral (236 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, NJ 07675).

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 8th, 8:30am - 10:00am at St. Mary's M.S.O. Church of Rockland (4 Tompkins Ave., West Nyack, NY 10994).

Live Streaming Links are available for the wake at http://bit.ly/4hFCrca and at https://bit.ly/4nIM63h for the service.

Internment to follow Tappan Cemetery (32 Old Tappan Rd, Tappan, NY 10983).

Refreshments will immediately follow at the St. Mary's M.S.O. Church of Rockland.

Floral tributes may be sent directly to the Malankara Archdiocesan Cathedral.