Ernest Louis Matteo passed away on May 22, 2017 at the age of 93 at the Hebert Nursing Home in Smithfield. He was the husband of the late Antonetta D. (Bucci) Matteo of Smithfield, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on November 11, 2015.
Born in Cumberland, RI, Ernest was the son of the late Andrew and Alessandra (Acciaioli) Matteo.
Ernest was the owner and operator of the Matteo’s Farm in Smithfield until his retirement in the late nineties. The Matteo family started the family orchard in 1924. In the nineteen sixties, Ernest began a successful pick your own apple business.
Ernest was a member of the Smithfield Sportsman's Club, and a past member of the RI Fruit Grower’s Association. Ernie enjoyed hunting, the New York Yankees, his farm and most of all, his family.
Ernie was the loving father of Donna Olson and her husband, Richard and Carol Abruzzi and her husband, David all of Smithfield. He is predeceased by his son, Anthony. Ernest was the beloved grandfather of Andrew Olson and Elizabeth Abruzzi. He is predeceased by his brothers, Tony and Pat Matteo and his sisters, Mary Lanni and his twin sister, Susie Delfino. Ernie is survived also by his loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
His funeral will be held Friday at 10 am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial, to which friends and family are invited, will be held at 11 am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket. VISITATION THURSDAY 4-7pm
The family extends its gratitude to All Is Well Home Care and Hope Hospice for their dedicated help and support during Ernie’s illness. Special thanks are extended to his caregivers, Adrienne Ponton, Amy Chambers and Ann D’Antuono.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie’s memory to Spurwink, RI, an organization serving adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities at One Spurwink Place Cranston, RI 02920