SPENCER – Brother Matthew Joseph Petrule, O.C.S.O., a Trappist monk of St. Joseph’s Abbey in
Spencer, died very peacefully in the monastery’s infirmary on March 16, 2022. Born in Boston,
Massachusetts on June 23, 1925 to Matthew Petrule and Mary Strarinskas, after graduation from high
school he served in the U.S. Army as a teletype operator and was honorably discharged, having been
awarded Army of Occupation and World War II Victory medals. After military service he worked for
eleven years as the sexton of a church in Albany, New York, where he was given responsibility for
maintenance and groundskeeping. He entered St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer in June of 1960. He made
temporary profession of vows in 1963 and solemn vows in 1966. Brother Matthew Joseph worked at
multiple duties at the abbey including guest house cook, garage maintenance, groundskeeping and
product packaging. Brother was noted for his serene and unassuming dedication to the religious life,
conscientious application to the work assigned him, as well as a special interest in the welfare of wildlife
inhabiting the grounds of the monastery.
Brother Matthew Joseph was predeceased by his sisters Evelyn McMullen, Ruth Teresa Demetre and his
brother, Robert Petrule as well as his nephew Ken McMullen. In addition to his monastic brothers at the
abbey, he is survived by his nieces and nephews, Carol Demetre, William Demetre, Janice and Barbara
McMullen. The monks wish to thank the brothers and lay staff at St. Joseph’s Abbey Resident Healthcare
Facility, the abbey’s infirmary, for the compassionate care they afforded Brother Matthew Joseph in his
final years. With gratitude for his presence among us, we commend his soul to your prayers. There are no
calling hours. Services and burial are private. J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple
Terrace, Spencer, 508-885-3992, is directing arrangements.