Name: Visitation for Albert Edward Matyasovsky
Start: 2025-04-04T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-04-04T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Koch Funeral Home - State College

Albert Edward Matyasovsky

January 21, 1949 - March 16, 2025

Houtzdale, Pennsylvania - Albert Edward Matyasovsky, Jr., 76, of Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 16, 2025. He was born on January 21, 1949 in Clairton, Pennsylvania to Albert and Edith Matyasovsky.

Albert was a 1967 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He attended Lock Haven University. On August 28, 1971, he married Sharon Lantz and the two taught at Seaford High School in Delaware before relocating to Houtzdale, Pennsylvania to build a home and raise a family.

Albert found joy in creating countless cherished memories with family and friends. A devoted father, husband, grandfather, and friend, Albert dedicated his life to his family, always leading with kindness, wisdom, humor, and a generous heart. Albert is survived by his wife, Sharon, their three children Michael Matyasovsky (Jennifer), Allison Thornburg (Kevin), and Jennifer Binnie (Edward), five grandchildren, Wyatt, Adalynn, Stella, Chloe, and Jack, his sister, Rita Matyasovsky Thompson, his brother, Robert Matyasovsky, and his sister-in-law, Carla Matyasovsky.

Albert dedicated over thirty years to Penn State University, serving as head of the university's waste management and recycling programs. He took immense pride in his work, helping implement sustainability initiatives such as Trash to Treasure and PSU football game day "blue bag" recycling. Under his leadership, Penn State's recycling programs obtained national recognition. During his career, Albert received Centre County United Way's Leon R. Kneebone Award for Extraordinary Volunteerism, the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, and the National Association of Leadership Programs Distinguished Leadership Award. Albert was honored to be an active member in the community as well, serving on the board of CentrePeace, Centre County United Way, and Philipsburg Hospital. He was also recognized at Penn State with the 100 Faces of Penn State, the Staff Excellence Award, the Sy Barash Award for Outstanding Community Volunteering, and was an honorary alumni award winner.

While the list of Albert's achievements is long, his greatest gift was the way he championed and supported all he knew. He had an unwavering belief in others and an innate ability to lift people up. He will be remembered for his support, warmth, endless stories, and the profound impact he had on the lives of those around him. He was a true believer in the philosophy "Try to leave this world a little better than you found it"- and he sure did.

A celebration of Albert's life will be held on Friday, April 4th at Koch Funeral Home in State College. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A service will follow at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Centre County United Way in his memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Centre Daily Times from Mar. 19 to Mar. 22, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Albert Matyasovsky

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17 Entries

Debra and William Wolf

August 19, 2025

Met Al thru our daughter, who also worked for Penn State. He gave my wife and I the "VIP" tour of Beaver Stadium.
, from the locker rooms to the roof top. He was a true gentleman.

Patti

August 18, 2025

My first love, I just found you. My sincere condolences to your family. I sincerely hope you were happy with your beautiful family.

Bill Kawa

March 31, 2025

Sharon and family,
My sincere sympathy to all of you. Al was a special person and the world is little sadder without him!

Joyce H.

March 27, 2025

Although I did not know Al well on a personal basis, I know from my work at Penn State what an asset he was to the University and how he championed recycling efforts. Moreover, he was always willing to share the story about those efforts in a manner that was educational and informative, and made enjoyable by his humorous delivery. May his family find gratification in knowing he was well-regarded even by those who didn't have the pleasure of knowing him well.

Tina Martin

March 25, 2025

Al was my boss as i was a temp on the labor crew at Penn State. My prayers go out to Al's family.May you feel God's arms surround you at this time.

Ronald Kessinger

March 24, 2025

In all my years of working with AL, I never heard him say "we can't ". It was , " we'll find a way ", or "we'll take care of it." We certainly could have used more staff like him.
Big AL, rest in peace my friend.

Andrew Palmer

March 24, 2025

Al was integral in the implementation of the Blue Bag Recycling Program, and supported us as student activists throughout the whole process. He also advocated for me when I pushed to initiate recycling bins on every floor of my dorm, instead of just the ground floor. Waking up early before a noon game on Saturdays to traipse around 120 acres of tailgates and coordinate recycling was never easy, but Al made damn sure it was worth it.

Sarah Jo Young

March 23, 2025

I worked at PSU for 28 years! All was a good boss to me and always treated me with respect. I used to tell him Houtzdale people stick together. What a coincidence that my long-time boyfriend is from Clairton PA. he would have had something to say about that. RIP. WE ARE...

Janice Fink

March 23, 2025

Al was a good guy, I liked to tell him jokes when I was at Penn State. May he rest in peace. I'll see you on the other side.

Roger Williams

March 22, 2025

Al was a class act and friend to all. We are diminished by his passing.

Jackie R. Esposito

March 22, 2025

My daughters absolute, all-time favorite "Take Your Daughters to Work" activity was Al's recycling tour of campus. They adored his sense of humor, his dedication to a green campus, and his knowledge of the right thing to do. We, as a family, supported his Trash to Treasure initiatives and always looked forward to seeing him. As a colleague and work friend, there was no one at PSU like Al, he was extraorindail;ry special and will be missed.

Nancy Bryerton

March 22, 2025

I knew Al when I worked at United Way. A lovely and caring man! Also enjoyed his smile and kind heart. He will be missed. Thoughts and Prayers to his family.
Nancy Bryerton

robert lumley-sapanski

March 21, 2025

I interacted with Big Al many times in my days at PSU. He was great to work with, looked for solutions and had a sense of humor! When my department moved into a new building I was told to basically toss all the building full of old furniture in dumpsters! Al arranged a "yard" sale with all proceeds going to the United Way, saving lots of good furniture from the dump and generating funds for a good cause. He didn´t need additional work but he did it as he was a good man! RIP big Al!

William and Debra Wolf

March 21, 2025

Always was our "tour guide" when we visited our daughter, who was working for the University. He gave us the VIP tour of Beaver Stadium. One fine gentleman. A memory we will always have.

David L Passmore

March 21, 2025

RIP, Al.

Jan Pearson Srock

March 20, 2025

Albert and Sharon were the best neighbors anyone could hope to have. They were great company and our daughters enjoyed many play dates.
Albert was always upbeat and shared many funny as well as uplifting stories.
I knew Al had a very giving nature and appreciate all that was shared in the obituary
Sharon was sweet and always supportive of Al´s demanding career at The Penn State University as they lovingly raised three beautiful and caring children
May God comfort his family and friends as they morn the loss of this man who was giving in many ways .

Jim and Kim Lewis

March 20, 2025

Fernwood Road was very clean thanks to Albert. He would walk from one end to other making sure to pick up anything that didn't belong. Thank you for your stewardship to our little community.

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