Matthew Dominic DePauli passed away on March 31, 2025 in Spokane, WA. He was 98 years old.

Graveside Services will be held on Friday, April 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 10848 Rough & Ready Hwy., Grass Valley. Full Military Honors will be rendered by the Nevada County All Veterans Honor Guard. A reception will follow at Grass Valley Fire Department Station #1, 472 Brighton Street, Grass Valley.

Matt was born in San Francisco on July 26, 1926 to Matthew and Carrie DePauli. During his childhood he lived in Stockton and Grass Valley. After his junior year in high school he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve V6 program. In 1944 he graduated from Grass Valley High School. Matt continued to serve in the Navy as a Fireman First Class on several ships from 1944 until 1946. After discharge Matt worked at the DePauli family liquor store in Grass Valley for several years and then became a Bank Teller with Bank of America for seven years. In 1948 he joined the volunteer fire service for the Grass Valley Fire department where his love of public service was ignited. In 1952 he was elected Fire Chief in Grass Valley, becoming the youngest Chief in the department’s history. In 1953, Matt became a full time Fireman with the Arcade Fire Department in Sacramento and in 1974 achieved his goal of becoming Fire Chief. Matt retired in 1980 and moved back to Grass Valley. He married Barbara Jones in 1983 and they were married for 37 years until her death in December of 2020 in Spokane, Washington where they had moved in 2013 to be near family.

Matt was so proud of his many years working with the fire service. He was beloved by family and friends alike. He was a great listener and always interested in what someone had to say as well as always offering loving advice and support. He was often described as a “Gentleman’s Gentleman.” He will be missed by many. Matt’s parting words to visitors were “Remember, tomorrow is not promised to anyone.” We are comforted that Matt has been reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara.

Matt is survived by his stepson Rick Jones (Shari), granddaughters Madison Norris (Skyler) and Kendall Jones, stepdaughter Carla Ware (Barry), grandson Brandon Ware, granddaughter Kimberly Thompson (Ryan), great grandsons Tyler, Parker and Cooper, niece Maureen Hebert (Rich), nephew Dan Creedon (Timie), and great niece Kelly Walton (Brad), and their children, Mallory and Miller, great niece Catherine Harris (Matt), and their son Hank, Melissa Hebert, Christina Kimball (Jordan), and their son Thomas and Lauren Olwig (Nick).
Matt is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara, his parents, Matthew Dominic DePauli Sr. and Carrie Louise Heermans DePauli, and sister Renee DePauli Creedon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice House Spokane (link provided below) or to the Grass Valley Volunteer Firefighter Association (address listed below). https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wsa3ni or the Grass Valley Volunteer Firefighter Association, P.O. Box 3268, Grass Valley, CA. 95945.