Matthew Sowul

Matthew "Matty" Bernard Sowul, 87, of Colts Neck, NJ, passed away on March 12, 2026 at home in his favorite spot - in front of the fireplace with his family. He was born in Jersey City, NJ. Matty worked as an engineer with his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. He used his degree while proudly serving in the U.S. Navy as an officer on the U.S.S. Hazelwood DD-531, a Fletcher-class destroyer. There, he worked as a chief engineer during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Outside of Matty's service in the Navy, he was the proud owner of the Long Branch Fishing and Amusement Pier along with its famous Haunted Mansion. Together, with his brother, he built custom homes in Monmouth Beach, Middletown, and Tinton Falls.

Matthew was known for his love of scuba diving, cooking, reading, gardening, underwater photography, and sailing. His favorite pastime was visiting the Caribbean to sail and scuba dive. Anyone who knew him knew how he enjoyed problem solving whether it was solving the latest world problems or helping family with their cars or houses. Matty was also famous for his "seafood extravaganzas" and often enjoyed trying new recipes to share with his family and friends.

For Matty, long summer days were a must. There, he would make plenty of memories with his children and grandchildren from surfing to learning how to drive a manual car to eating at as many ice cream parlors as they could in one night.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Jo Sowul; two daughters, Erin Sjoholm of Arroy Grande, CA, Colleen Cardoza of Castro Valley, CA; and four grandchildren, Adam Sjoholm of Menlo Park, CA, Hanna Vandergrift of Oreland, PA, Madeline Sjoholm of Somerville, MA, and Hunter Cardoza of Castro Valley, CA.

Matty was preceded in death by father, Benjamin Sowul, mother, Genevieve Sowul, brother Bartholomew Sowul, and his daughter, Tara Sowul.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 16, 2026, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in Matthew's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org or by clicking the donate tab below.