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Joseph Mattis Obituary
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He was born in Erie in January 1947, a son of the late Joseph F. and Martha Mattis.
He was a graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School in 1965 and Gannon College (now University) in 1969. He worked as an engineer and administrator at General Telephone Company of Pennsylvania for 12 years and later as a sportswriter for the Erie Morning News and Erie Times-News for 24 years.
A devoted Catholic, Joe was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Parish for nearly 50 years. He was active in many church organizations and functions, including as a 4th Degree, Knight of Columbus. He was very active and well known in the Erie area sports community, not only as a sports writer, but also as a volunteer and coach, including as the assistant coach for the Gannon Women's Golf Team. He also looked forward to saying the prayer before the Gannon Men's and Women's basketball games.
He was preceded in in death by his wife, Patricia (Ropelewski) Mattis, whom he married in 1969, an identical twin brother, John Mattis and sister Caroline Swanson.
He is survived by two children, daughter Mary Mattis (husband Mike Broome) of Aiken, SC, and son, Michael Mattis (wife Andrea) of Pittsburgh; one sister, Lois Castaldi (husband Thomas), two granddaughters, Kaitlynn Libby and Aubree Peterson-Spanard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends and family may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, 5000 Wattsburg Road, on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm and are invited to a funeral mass at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Parish, 2701 East Ave., on Wednesday at 10 am. Burial will be at a future date in Mary, Queen of Peace Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Rosary Parish at 2701 East Ave., Erie, Pa 16504
Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
John Maloney
June 24, 2025
I recall that Joe and John played basketball for St.Pat´s each year, during the annual Erie Boy´s Club tournament.They were both tenacious and the team always won in their weight class.The Mattis twins knew my brother, Tim, from grade school and high school at Cathedral Prep. I am a retired Adult P.O., and had the privilege to work with Patty for much of my career. We recent lost our sister, Patti due to ALS, and her husband, Ray Fiorelli , and understand the grieving process. Please take comfort in knowing that Joe and Patti led remarkable lives and contributed toward the betterment of of us all.
Tim Maloney
June 2, 2025
Long time friend back to grade school days and four years at Prep. He and his brother John were great people who were respected and liked by all. He will be missed and remembered. Rest in peace Joe.
Doug Zimmerman
May 31, 2025
Great individual. Sadden to hear of his passing. I had a lot of contact with Joe while I coached at Behrend and Gannon. Will always remember a "blurb" he posted in the paper after a basketball game that I still have, concerning an incident that occurred at a basketball game while I as at Behrend that he acknowledged in the paper. What he had commented on met much more to me than the wins/losses.
Donald Waltz
May 31, 2025
Sorry to hear of his passing. We had many conversations. He is in my prayers.
Don Waltz
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