Growing up in Oregon, Lindsay George said she was good friends with and practically a member of the Matero family.
“I’ve known them my whole life,” she said Saturday in a phone interview with The Garden Island. “I spent a lot of time at their house.”
George was saddened by the death of Paul Matero, 69, who died Thursday when the Safari Helicopters chopper he was piloting on a sightseeing tour crashed on Napali Coast. All seven people on board were killed.
She described Paul Matero as “a tough cookie.”
“He was incredibly loving and would take the time to sit and listen to any one of us, including me,” she said. “He had his rules and the girls listened. He was a very strong father figure to all the girls, to me, to all his children.”
George, who lives in Keizer, Ore., is friends with all three of Paul’s daughters, but said she was closest to Katy. She is helping both promote a gofundme account to help Katy travel to Kauai to be with her mom and family, and conducting her own fundraiser as well. Through her group LG Fiber Works, she and friends are knitting and crocheting patterns that George is selling, with proceeds going to Katy’s travel costs.
She said Katy and the Matero family are holding up as best they can.
“She’s a mess, but she seems to be doing as well as one would expect,” George said.
All the Mateo children are either en route to Kauai or already here. Paul is survived by his wife Donna, who lives on Kauai, three daughters, a son and grandchildren.
The gofundme account started by Katy Matero has raised $3,550 toward its goal of $5,000. It includes a picture of Donna and :Paul, both smiling.
Bob and Vickie Hoag donated $500, and wrote, “Paul worked for me at Calicopters a long time ago. He was a swamper dreaming of being a helicopter pilot. He made it and he loved it! Fly high my friend.”
Martin Loehr donated $30, and wrote, “Paul was the pilot for the helicopter tour I did when I was in Kauai last year. I’ve never flown before, and I was nervous. His calming voice over the headset immediately put me at ease. Looking out the window at beautiful Kauai while Paul told his stories with “Over the Rainbow” by IZ playing in the background was one of the most magical moments of my life. Even though I only knew him for an hour, he made a huge impression, and I’ll never forget that day. I’m sorry for your loss …”
Shannon Bryant donated $75, and wrote, “My wife Lisa and I met Paul and Donna in Kapaa in 2016, and I have kept in touch with Paul since. His cell went straight to voice mail yesterday morning, and I just knew. We are so heartbroken. He was a good man.”
A second gofundme account to help the family has been started by Ernie Soileau. He wrote, “Paul Matero was a loving Husband, Dad, and Grandfather; as well as a brother, uncle, and friend to so very many all across the country. He was the guy that walked into any room and loved to make people laugh with his witty one liners and contagious smile. He’d do anything to lift the spirits of those around him, and was such a Light in so many of our lives.”
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
