Obituary of Mario A Matarrese

Matarrese, Mario A. age 92, passed away with his loving wife by his side on Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1926. He married the love of his life, Louise J. DiPietro, on September 9, 1950, and the couple had five children. Mario was a life-long, self-employed entrepreneur whose many ventures included the bowling, lounge and restaurant businesses. His passions were food and music. As a result of his past experiences in restaurant(s) he was a very good cook, favoring mostly Italian specialties. He had a fine baritone voice and enjoyed opera. Later in life he mastered the harmonica. He studied both voice and harmonica under renowned instructors at the Turtle Bay Music School. He was a devout Roman Catholic who attended mass weekly and was a member of the professional church singers association for many years. He was a very active person and loved to work outdoors, where he could often be found riding his tractor, cutting grass, or working in his garage. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed.

Mario is predeceased by his parents, Francesco and Carmela Matarrese and Dominick Venezia, his brothers, Patrick, Tommy, Mikey, Sonny, Johnny and his sister, Antoinette, and his grandson, Matthew.

He leaves behind his five children: Christine Kerr, Mario Matarrese and his wife, Maria, Teresa Scribner and her husband, Duane, Lorraine Ciampa and her husband, Erminio and Gregory Matarrese and his fiancé Linda Cimino; his adored nine grandchildren, Tracy Kerr, Lori Kerfren, Katie Leidy, Daniel Matarrese, Andrew Scribner, Alex Scribner, Aaron Scribner, Ashley Guerra and Justin Matarrese; and his adored four great-grandchildren, Jayden and Elijah Matarrese and Maia and Harper Kerfren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa on Thursday at 9:30 AM. Funeral mass to follow at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y. Friends may visit on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Make a Wish Foundation of New Jersey, 1384 Perrineville Road, Monroe Township, N.J. 08831 would be greatly appreciated.