Michael A. Mattiace

Died: Sep 12, 2014

Michael A. Mattiace, a resident of Hackettstown, NJ., died Friday, September 12, 2014, he was 85 years old.
Born November 14, 1928 in the Bronx, NY, he was the son of the late Vincenzo James & Viola Lupo Mattiace. He was raised in Bergen County New Jersey and attended Eastside High School, Paterson, NJ. As young adult, Michael served in the US Army Air Force Division as an Automotive Equipment Mechanic.  He received both the World War II Victory and the Good Conduct Medals for his service in the American Theatre and was honorably discharged in 1947 as a Private first Class.
 
A man of many professions, Michael had been employed as salesmen for many years at the Prudential Life Insurance Company in Seminole, Florida. He later relocated to New Jersey and worked for Hosking Livery and the Cochran Funeral Home as an assistant. In addition, Michael was a beloved school bus driver for the Allamuchy Board of Education. Later, He and his beloved wife of 35 years, Monna O’Connor Mattiace, owned and operated the Coffee Grinder on Main street in Hackettstown which became a favorite spot for locals to chat, visit and catch up on the news of the day.
 
Mr Mattiace devoted much of his life in service to his church;  his faith was a cornerstone for his legacy of work with many community and faith based organizations. He was raised Roman Catholic and had a great command and love of reading scripture. Most correspondence and cards to friends and family would always include a noted scripture verse to look up.
In 1978, he and his wife Monna, were the first couple to be married in the newly completed Panther Valley Ecumenical Church where they became very active members. While living in North Carolina, Michael served as an ordained deacon at College Acres Baptist Church in Wilmington and taught adult Sunday School for many years. In addition,  he served with the Baptists Men's group in the recovery efforts for several major hurricanes that occurred during the time he lived in NC.
 
 In his later life, Michael was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, New Jersey. Through a special relationship with Pastor Keith Barkley, he traveled to Africa to help see to fruition Keith's vision and dream of building a water pipeline to provide safe drinking water to remote villages in Kenya.  Mr. Mattiace helped raise seed money for the pipeline project and through local donations and funds raised; they established the Barkley Pipeline Project. The project continued to grow through the generosity and efforts of a large group of Hackettstonians and continued to provide support and critical resources to the region.
 
Michael gave much of his time to community service and was a member of the Seminole Lion's Club of Florida, serving as President and worked primarily with blind children. He was an active member of the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus in both Florida and the Mount Olive  K of C Council 6100 of New Jersey.
 
Mr Mattiace was very proud of his Italian heritage. While living in North Carolina was a contributing  member of the Italian Heritage Society. During his tenure as both Vice President and President at the IHS, he worked tirelessly to restore and adapt Bocce Ball courts at Empie Park for the disabled.
He created a Bocce recreation program for disabled children to learn and play the game taking great pride and joy in the Society's functions and annual cultural festivals held toward sharing and educating the North Carolina community in the Italian culture he loved so dearly.
 He served as a volunteer and fund raiser for UNCW scholarships, teaching and forming teams in the Wilmington area which provided entertainment for local nursing homes. .
 
In keeping with his devotion to working with the young and disabled, Mr. Mattiace was recognized by the Special Olympics of North Carolina for "His valuable contributions to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in New Hanover and Brunswick"
 
Among his greatest joys and treasured memories of "Pop"; reading his bibles and daily devotions, volunteer service, watching his favorite teams the Giants and the NY Yankees, dancing, Bocce, a comedic routine with the grandsons and providing a blessing. He also greatly enjoyed several trips abroad with his wife Monna; Africa, England, and Italy where he was able to visit his parents birthplace in Bari, Italy and visit with relatives in the surrounding villages. In 2006 Michael and his wife Monna made a memorable trip to New Zealand with their dear friends Steffener family.
 
 Michael and wife Monna, were extras in several featured films; The Lost Capone, Simple Justice, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super Mario Bothers, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Series and others. Much to the delight of his grand children and countless other children he and his wife Monna played Santa and Mrs. Claus during the holidays for many years.
 
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Monna,  Her three children Jeri O’Connor Steffener and her husband Michael, Gary O'Connor and his partner Sabine, and Shayne O’Connor Daly and her husband Stephen. Michael’s children, Susan, Lynn and Michael.  Six wonderful Grandchildren; Colin, Patrick and his partner Felicia, Daniel, Jordan, Connor, Catherine, Jordan and one Great Grandson, Payton.
He is survived by his sisters; Josephine Cuchiara, Lucille Diamond, Marlene Hugo and a brother Frank .
Many Nieces & Nephews; Tammy,  Donna,  Francis, Melissa,  David,  Denise,  Jamie,  Ricky,  Patty, Vanessa, Jennifer, Karen and  Barbara.
He is predeceased by brother, James Mattiace and will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.
 
There will be a Visitation with Memorial service on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street , Hackettstown, NJ. from 10am to 11am with services beginning promptly at 11am. Those wishing to make donations in Michael's memory may do so at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s' Research,  The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777

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