Victoria Matsakis

Obituary of Victoria Matsakis  9/20/1926 - 10/09/2021

Place of Birth: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Victoria Matsakis (Vicky), nee Lucas, beloved mother, and grandmother died peacefully on Oct.  9th in Ellicott City, Maryland at the age of 95. She was born at 49 Blaine Ave, Canonsburg, PA on September 20,1926 to Steve and Helen Lucas, nee Woodyard. Along with brothers Thomas and half-brother Pete, she was raised by their father and step-mother Zafira Lucas in a tightly knit hardworking Greek-American immigrant community.

During the Second World War, she worked soldering radio circuit boards at the RCA assembly plant. Her mother and father passed away in 1952. On June 28, 1953 she married her long time sweetheart Constantinos (Gus) D Matsakis in Canonsburg, PA. Together they raised their three sons Demetrios-James, Steven, and Nicholas-Constantinos in Rutherford, NJ. Vicky was a homemaker while Executive Chef Gus Matsakis owned and operated the Bonfire Restaurant in Paterson, NJ. They made many friends in the Greek community, NJ restaurant business and Rutherford over the years while Vicky also retained long term relationships with her beloved Canonsburg.  Vicky was known for being a hard worker with lots of energy, keeping everything ship-shape and for telling-you-like-it-is! She worked as a drill press operator at a local factory where she was commended for being among their most productive. She’s remembered fondly for her wonderful Greek cooking and dedication to raising her family.  

Upon Gus's death in 1986, she continued to reside at their 97 Darwin Ave, Rutherford, NJ home until 2012 when she moved to her son "Jimmy's" in Ellicott City, MD. Two years later she moved to the dementia care unit at Morningside House of Ellicott City where she resided until her death.  

Vicky is survived by her sons Demetrios and Nicholas, brother Pete Lucas, daughters-in-law Rebecca, Mary, and Diane, and grandchildren Constantine, Gabriel, Louise, and Timothy. She was preceded in death by her husband Constantine (Gus), brother Thomas, and her son Steven.

Viewing will be held at the Macagna-Diffily-Onorato Funeral Home in Rutherford, NJ on 10/17/21 from 3-5 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Clifton NJ at 10:30 on 10/18/21. Vicky will be interred at the Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst, NJ alongside her beloved husband and son Steven.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org