Joseph M. Matera

Joseph M. Matera, 85, of Leonia, NJ passed peacefully at home on September 20, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Luzzano, Italy and came to the United States by way of ship, the MS Sobieski, at age 8 with his sister Maria. They were met at the dock in New York City by an aunt and uncle. Joe was a proud resident of Leonia for 63 years.

In 1954, along with his father and brothers he formed N. Matera & Sons Landscape Company. In 1962, they purchased land in Ridgefield, NJ and Matera’s Nursery & Garden Center was born. Joe worked tirelessly to build the business and for the past 40 years Joe worked side by side with his business partner and son Joseph. Together they built a successful establishment that supplies the landscape industry.

Joe found so much joy in tending to his lush gardens and impeccably landscaped homes. He always said “working in the garden brings you closer to God.” He loved spending time with his family. He loved summer weekends at the Jersey Shore and winter vacations in Florida. He had a passion for fine cars since the day he got his driver’s license, and proudly cruised Broad Avenue in his ’59 black Bonneville convertible. He cruised that same street in a shiny, fancy car ever since. Since 1964, he was an active member of the Ridgefield Lions Club where he held the office of President twice and most recently as Treasurer. He spent hundreds of hours fundraising for this worthwhile organization. He was a graduate of Leonia High School and was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist R. C. Church in Leonia.

Joe is predeceased by his parents, Cristina (nee Iodice) and Nicola, wife Joan (nee Johnsen), brothers Gennaro and Biagio, twin sisters Maria Venezia and Pasqualina Gramuglia, and brother-in-law Joseph Gramuglia.

Loving father to Constance (Connie) and her partner Tim, Joseph and his wife Robyn, and son John. Cherished grandfather to Joseph Liam Matera, Ryan Post, Katie Macarico and her husband Ryan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Carol Matera and Angela Matera, brother-in-law Rocco Venezia, Roberta Matera, the mother of his children, and her husband Norman, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Wednesday, September 24, 3 to 7 PM at Frank A. Patti Funeral Home 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ. A funeral mass will be held in Joe’s honor on September 25 at 11 AM at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, 470 Broad Avenue, Leonia, NJ. Entombment to follow at Madonna Mausoleum in Fort Lee.

In lieu of flowers, his family kindly requests a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org, an organization which meant so much to Joe for many years.