Frank Joseph Matyi

Frank Joseph Matyi

September 13, 1923 – June 2, 2026

 

Frank Joseph Matyi, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 2, 2026, at the age of 102 after a brief illness.  He was born in Sewaren, NJ, on September 13, 1923 to Eva (Belog) and John S. Matyi, originally of Hungary.  He was the second youngest of 8 children.  He graduated the 8th grade from the No. 11 School in Woodbridge, NJ in June, 1938.  He attended high school for three years before enrolling at the age of 17 in the Civilian Conservation Corps on October 8, 1940 at Sea Girt, NJ.  While with the CCC, he performed rip rap work in Meridian, Idaho, until being discharged at Fort Dix, NJ, on March 29, 1941 to support the U.S. war effort during WWII.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 12, 1942 at New York, NY, and served until February 19, 1946, achieving the rank of Gunner’s Mate Second Class.  He served on several ships including the USS Abnaki (ATF 96).  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Medal, European Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, and the Victory Medal.  Frank loved being out at sea, and served in the Merchant Marine after his discharge from the Navy, serving as a wiper, oiler, and a fireman-water tender in the engine room on various steam-powered vessels.  During his time at sea, he traveled around the world several times.  After returning to dry land, Frank began working as a boiler operator and licensed engineer in the steam powered generating plants at various oil refineries. 

 

He met Ottavia (“Tavy”) Anna Guglielmi, of Staten Island, New York, in July 1961 and they were married on February 11, 1962 at St. Clare’s Church in Great Kills, Staten Island, NY.  They settled in Eltingville, S.I., and raised two children.  Frank retired from the Amerada Hess Corporation after 20 years on November 1, 1988.  In 1999, after both Tavy and Frank retired, they moved to Columbus, New Jersey. 

 

Following retirement, he and Tavy spent the majority of the warmer months at their trailer in the Poconos, traveled to various national parks, such as Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon, and enjoyed spending time with their children and four grandchildren. 

 

They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2022, and Tavy passed away 8 months later.  In February, 2023, Frank moved to Pasadena, Maryland to live with his daughter and son-in-law.  He remained independent and active, shoveling snow and cleaning up leaves to the marvel of neighbors and friends, until his death. 

 

Frank was never idle.  He loved fixing things and staying busy, particularly outside.  He was a lover of nature and a voracious reader of biographies, nature topics, financial news, philosophy, and other non-fiction, who never stopped learning.  He prided himself on being a smart stock investor.  He was kind, thoughtful, and generous to a fault, with his time and his money.  He was raised in the Roman Catholic Faith and was an avid church goer his whole life.

 

Many people would ask Frank what the key to his long life was.  His list generally included:  1) attitude – have a positive attitude, work at something you love and do your best; 2) exercise – no weight-lifting competitions, but keep moving every day, and rub your body all over to keep the circulation moving; 3) a good diet – eat and drink everything in moderation, and eat oatmeal with fresh apple for breakfast every morning, and ice cream for a special treat; 4) get outside – work in the dirt, shovel some stones, and hug a few trees; 5) love – surround yourself with people you love who give you hugs, and remember that family is most important; and 5) faith – in all things put your trust in God.

 

He is survived by his:  daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Jonathan Bailey, of Pasadena, MD; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Christine Matyi, of Tottenville, NY; four grandchildren, Jesse, Hunter, Shane and Sierra Matyi of Tottenville, NY; and nieces, nephews, and many devoted friends.  A funeral mass will be held on July 25th at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 1290 Hornberger Avenue, Roebling, NJ 08554 followed by a luncheon at O’Connor’s Bar and Grill of Mt. Holly, at 1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Township, NJ 08060.  On July 27th, following a brief service with military honors at the chapel at Brigadier General William D. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562, at 10:00 a.m. his remains will be interred with those of his wife.