BEVERLY: Alfred J. Mattei, 85, died Saturday, June 19, 2010 surrounded by his family in the Beverly Hospital following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Iolanda (Penna) Mattei who died in 1992.
Born in Boston on November 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Angelo M. and Carmela (Moccia) Mattei. He was a graduate of Boston English High School. He had resided in Malden for several years before moving to Marblehead in 1963. Alfred and his wife vacationed in Fajardo, Puerto Rico since 1970 and permanently moved there in 1997. He moved back to reside with his daughter in Beverly two years ago.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served aboard the USS Bunker Hill before being honorably discharged as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate on March 6, 1946. He had also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Alfred had owned and operated the Super Sub Shops in Peabody, Salem and Marblehead for over forty years before retiring in 1995. He had also once worked as a foreman in the garment industry at the former G.T., Inc. in Boston for many years.
He was an avid Boston sports fan, especially the Boston Red Sox. He loved his cigar, reading books and the Boston Herald. He was also a communicant and Past-President of the Holy Name Society at St. Mary’s Church in the North End.
From the time he began residing in Puerto Rico, he immediately developed many close and treasured friendships at The Marina Lanis and the El Conquistador, which he valued and remained in close contact with to the end. He was mutually loved and respected by all he met.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Fredrick D. and Cecile M. (Hache) Mattei of Salem, his daughter, Vivien M. Mattei of Beverly, seven grandchildren, Samantha and Dennis Mattei both of Salem, Michael and his wife, Vikki Rood of Schaumburg, IL, Jenica Walker of Steamboat Springs, CO, Sarah and her husband, Dave Timson of East Kingston, NH and Brendan and Jason Fullerton both of Beverly, seven great-grandchildren, Maya and Paxon Rood of Schaumburg, Ethan and Ella Walker both of Steamboat Springs and Alani, David and Jesse Timson all of East Kingston and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a sister, Mary Trodella and a brother, Angelo “Murray” Mattei.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday in the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly at 9 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to The Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.