Obituary of Richard Lee Mattea
Richard Lee Mattea
Richard “Dick” Lee Mattea, passed away peacefully at the age of 81, on Friday, April 28, 2023, at his home in Shorewood, surrounded by the love of his family. Richard was born on October 29, 1941, the son of the late Fred Sr. and Ann (nee Flanery) Mattea. Born and raised in Joliet, he attended Joliet Township High School. Richard was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired after a long career as an Ironworker with Local Union 444. Richard was the proud former owner of Dog & Sud’s drive in.
Richard enjoyed traveling to Walt Disney World, Arizona and Las Vegas as well as gardening, cigars, and rooting for his favorite sports teams especially the Bears and Notre Dame football. His most treasured hobby was spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rita J. (nee D’Orazio) Mattea; sons, Richard L. (Annette) Mattea, Jr., Jason P. (Andrea) Mattea, and Darin J. Mattea; grandchildren, Dyllan, Alexis, Aiden, and Jason Mattea Jr; his siblings, Fred (Rita) Mattea and David Mattea; in-laws, Nancy (Paul) Corsetti; and dear friends, Larry and Joy Ford. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
He is preceded by his parents; siblings, Mary Ann (Robert) Meredith and Alan Mattea; his sisters-in-law, Eva (Alex) Galounis, Anna (George) Knoop, Ida (Manny) Delrose, and Josie (Joe) Srosnick; his dearly loved nephews, Billy Kitchener, Bobby Meredith, and Chris Galounis and his lovely niece Judy Moruzi, as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
Funeral Services for Richard Lee Mattea will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL, to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery where full military honors will be held under the auspices of the United States Air Force and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregivers, Jen Schuh and Jo Theodore, for all the love and compassion that they showed to Richard and his family.
Memorials may be made in his name to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.
For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
