Mr. Matusoff retired about two years ago as vice president and management counsel at Dupps Co., a food products machine manufacturer in Germantown. But he spent a career as a lawyer actively involved in Dayton’s arts community.
A native of Dayton, Mr. Matusoff graduated from Fairview High School, the University of Michigan in 1951 and Harvard Law School in 1954. He briefly worked in New York City before he returned to Dayton to join the Coolidge law firm and be with his large family.
He joined Coolidge, Wall & Wood in 1956 and eventually became a partner in 1965 and his name was added to the masthead. He stayed with the firm for more than 30 years. He later worked with Gene Mesh, a noted Cincinnati securities lawyer, on major class action litigation.
Family and friends said Mr. Matusoff not only became immersed in the law, but in sports and the arts. He was the godson of the Dayton Daily News’ famed sports editor Si Burick.
One attorney said Mr. Matusoff was “one of the stronger (meaning smarter) attorneys in the city.”
Mr. Matusoff served as a board member of the Dayton Art Institute and chairman of the Dayton Performing Arts Fund, which became Culture Works.
He was also on the board of directors for Ponderosa, Philips Industries and Zimmer Homes.
“He was larger than life; very charismatic,” said friend Larry Glickler, who also called Mr. Matusoff a second father.
He is survived by his wife, Corrine; son and daughter-in-law James and Laura Matusoff; two grandchildren; a sister Shirley (Bernard) Fisher and other relatives.
Mr. Matusoff’s funeral will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday at Beth Abraham Synagogue, 305 Sugar Camp Circle, and which his late father, Louis, was involved in building when it was on Salem Avenue.
There will be a shiva minyan at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday at the Matusoff home, 4572 Royal Ridge Way.
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