Obituary of Rev. Joseph J. Mattey

Reverend Joseph J. Mattey, a resident of Villa St. Joseph, Dunmore died on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA.

Father Mattey, son of the late Andrew J. and Mary Kalie Mattey, was born in Plymouth on February 12, 1940.  He received his early education at Saint Stephen’s School, Plymouth and graduated from Saint Vincent’s High School, Plymouth.  Father attended King’s College, Wilkes-Barre and Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, graduating in June 1962.  He completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1965, by the Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton.

Father Mattey served as Assistant Pastor of Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley; Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pittston; Saint Jude’s Parish, Mountaintop; Holy Ghost Parish, Olyphant and Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, Scranton.  In 1978 he was named Administrator of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Taylor, and later named Pastor on August 29 of that year.  Father served St. John the Baptist parish for 22 years.  In July 2000, Father Mattey was given the status of Senior Priest and began serving the Roman Catholic Community of Freeland in the parishes of St. Ann, St. Anthony, St. John and St. Casimir.  Father Mattey remained in Freeland until his retirement on July 11, 2011.

He is survived by a brother, Andrew, and his wife, Rose, Pittston; two nieces, Lori Chromey, Florida and Sheri McCracken, Massachusetts.    He was preceded in death by two nieces, Sandra Panuski and Cynthia Mattey.

Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing at Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis Street, Scranton, on Thursday, January 31, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A Solemn Vespers Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. 

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton, on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St. Scranton.  Interment will be in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Lehman.