LOWELL-Charles J. Matczak, Sr., 84, a long time resident of Lowell, died January 23rd in the Edith Nourse Rogers VA Hospital in Bedford. He was the beloved husband of Venus (Koutsos) Ziagos Matczak to whom he was married for 27 years.
He was born in Essex, on July 14, 1922, a son of the late Joseph and the late Adamina Urbaniak.
Mr. Matczak was a United States Navy veteran serving for 22 years in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict; he retired as a chief petty officer in August of 1962. During his military career Mr. Matczak received eleven medals and ribbons: The Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Later he was employed by the former Spectrametrics Company where he calibrated mass spectrometers until retiring in 1984.
He was a member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell. Mr. Matczak was a life member of the Polish American Veterans Club of Lowell, a life member of the Retired Armed Forces Association, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post # 662 in Lowell, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Post # 25 in Lowell, a member of the Veterans Council, a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Post # 338 in Hudson, NH and a member of the American Legion, Post # 315 in Dracut.
In his free time Mr. Matczak enjoyed playing golf, bowling, traveling, driving and fine dinning. He was an avid fisherman and was a genius with his hands, especially excelling in woodworking and mechanics. Mr. Matczak was a devoted husband and family man.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his son, Charles J. Matczak, Jr. and his wife Louise of Windham, NH; two daughters, Carole McWilliams of Chelmsford and Susan Denopoulos of Windham, NH; two stepsons, Christopher C. Ziagos of Portland, ME and Anthony G. Ziagos, Sr. and his wife Diane of Dracut; six grandchildren, Ian McWilliams and Tyler McWilliams, Jay Denopoulos, Anthony G. Ziagos, Jr., Presbytera Gloria and her husband Fr. Demitri Costarakis and Derek Howes; his great granddaughter, Ava Grace Ziagos and her mother, Laurie Greenleaf; his former son-in-law, Sam Denopoulos of Windham, NH; many nephews and nieces.
He was also the brother of the late Stephen Matczak, the late Stanley Matczak, the late Henry Matczak, the late baby Joseph Matczak, the late Veronica Piccolomini, the late Mary Walsh, the late Mary Matczak, and the late Helen Operacz he also was the grandfather of the late Elana M. Matczak and the late Nina J. Denopoulos.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Saturday at 9 AM, followed by his Funeral Service at 10 AM at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Fr. John Sarantos Way, in Lowell. Burial in Lowell Cemetery in Lowell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Charles J. Matczak, Sr. Memorial Fund, Fr. John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854 or to the Community Family of Lowell, 236 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854.