Joseph R. Mattis

Joseph R. Mattis, age 78, died on Friday, May 30th at home surrounded by family.
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.