Obituary: Active Springfield Volunteer Samuel Mattei

October 25, 1931 – July 15, 2012

Sam Mattei, 80, passed from complications from Parkinson’s disease on Sunday, July 15, 2012. Sam was a friend to all of Springfield. He served as coach and President of the Springfield Youth Club for 14 years, and for his distinguished service, presented the Spartan Award. He was also Commissioner of the Bert Bell Football Conference during his service to the SYC. Sam coached and was Director of the Springfield Athletic Association. He was on the Board of Parks and Recreation of Springfield Township and Chairman of the Springfield Zoning Board for 13 years. Sam was a Republican Committeeman, Judge of Elections for the Fifth Ward and longtime Manager of the Springfield County Club Pool in his retirement. For his dedicated service to Springfield, Sam was honored with his name being placed on Springfield Volunteer Memorial Wall.

Devoted to his family first and always, Sam was also dedicated to serving his church, Calvary Temple, in South Philadelphia. Professionally, Sam was in sales and executive management for 40 years with Albert Tire Company of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Before his life in the tire business, Sam was acting Lieutenant in the Philadelphia Fire Department, Engine 10 where he served with distinction and he served his county with honor as a Sergeant in the US Army in Korea. Sam and his wife recently moved to the Foxfield senior community in Garnet Valley, PA where he enjoyed an active and social lifestyle.

Sam leaves behind his devoted wife of 53 years, Ann (Fortunato), his three children, Dina Cavanaugh, Samuel A. Mattei and Gary Mattei, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 6-9 PM at Pagano Funeral Home at 3711 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley, PA 19060. An additional viewing will be held at 9 AM on Friday, July 20, 2012 with a service to follow at 10 AM at Calvary Temple at 3301 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145. The interment will be at Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, PA.

Submitted by Gary Mettei