Matthew A. Martinelli, 87, of Hughestown, passed away Friday October 20, 2023 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family.
Matt was born in Pittston on September 28, 1936. He was the son of the late Pasquale “Patsy” Martinelli and Josephine Russo Martinelli.
Matt was a graduate of Hughestown High School and was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves.
Matt spent his career as a truck driver for Addy Asphalt Co. and Pagnotti Enterprises. He was a member of the Teamsters, Heavy Highway Division. Following Matt’s retirement, he worked as a courier and in maintenance for Old Forge Bank.
Matt’s greatest accomplishments were not career related, but instead family. He promised to give his sweetheart, Ireta, “all my love” in 1953 and made true on that promise over the next 70 years.
He was a strong, loyal, and brave Italian man that had a knack for gardening and wine making. Matt started this tradition with his father and then went on to spend many years with his cousin and right hand man, Anthony, carrying on this generational tradition of wine making by teaching his sons and grandsons. If you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a glass of Matt’s wine, you’re lucky enough. He enjoyed spending time in the garden, and took great pride in his tomato plants. Matt will fondly be remembered by his family for having the best kept yard year round. Clever and quick-witted, Matt was full to the brim with knowledge that he gained through all of his life experiences, and by utilizing one of his favorite gadgets, Alexa.
Matt loved to watch his favorite team, the New York Yankees. He was a diehard fan and would often share with those around him his passion for the team. Though, we all knew that Matt’s true favorite team was any team that his sons, grandsons, or great-grandsons played on. Matt enjoyed watching his boys play ball all throughout his life and into his final days when he proudly got to see his great-grandson on the pitchers mound.
Matt was a helpful neighbor, an honest and trustworthy friend, and an influential presence in the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, god-children, and cousins.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Anthony Francis Martinelli.
He will continue to stay with us through all of the memories and will be lovingly missed by his wife of 63 years, Ireta Davenport Martinelli, sons; Matthew Martinelli, Hughestown and Patrick Martinelli, Sr., Hughestown and grandsons; Patrick Martinelli and his wife Joelle, Hughestown, and Justin Martinelli, Pittston, great-grandsons Carmine and Alfie Martinelli, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends and relatives Wednesday October 25, 2023 from 5-8pm and Thursday October 26, 2023 from 9-10am followed by a blessing service at Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston, internment will follow the blessing service in St. Mary’s Assumption Cemetery, Rock Street, Hughestown.