Obituary of Mathias Hefti

Mathias Hefti "Real Estate Developer, Professional Skier, Husband, Father and Grandfather" Allegany, NY-- Mathias Hefti of 3285 !McClure Hollow Rd. died Sunday (August 24, 2003) in the Olean General Hospital after a long illness with cancer. Born August 24, 1935 in Almens, Switzerland, he was one of three sons of the late Mathias and Maria Hefti. On May 16, 1964 he married the former Nancy R. Harlan, who survives. Mr. Hefti received his mechanical engineering and business degrees from Winterthur, Switzerland. Before coming to the U.S., he was a professional skier and raced with the Swiss Ski Team for 10 years. Mr. Hefti loved the sport and skied in numerous European races, including the World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 to help coach the U.S. Olympic racing team and teach skiing at Magic Mountain in Vermont. Prior to coming to Allegany, he became a certified American professional skier. Mr. Hefti was given the opportunity to come to Allegany in 1963 to establish and develop the Grosstal Ski School, more commonly known as Ski Wing. He also worked as a mechanical engineer for 12 years before starting his life-long career as a real estate owner and developer. Surviving besides his wife are a daughter, Maria Hefti of Rochester, NY; a son Mathias (Shelly) Hefti III of Allegany; 3 grandchildren; a brother Remo Hefti of Switzerland; 2 sisters-in-law Doris and Katerina Hefti of Switzerland; 3 nieces, 2 nephews and several cousins. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm in the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (August 27, 2003) at 10:00am in Trinity United Methodist Church. Rev. Gerald Piper, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Graham Cemetery, Franklin, PA. Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 131 N. 9th St. Olean, NY 14760. Those wishing may also contribute to the Lymphoma Research Foundation in his memory, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006.