John B. Mattera, Sr.

John B. Mattera, Sr., age 82, of Newtown, formerly of Norwalk, passed away on October 11, 2019, at Yale New Haven Hospital.  Born in Fontana, Ischia, Italy on July 12, 1937, John was the son of the late Frank and Maria (Verde) Mattera.  He was the loving husband of the late Pauline Giglio Mattera, and together they raised three children, their two sons John B. Mattera, Jr. (wife Karen Sullivan Mattera) and Michael Mattera (wife Kristen Anderson Mattera) and their niece Debbie (Palmer) Borges.  To John, family was everything.  Taking his niece in when she was only eight years old, raising her as a daughter after her mother died, along with his mother-in-law, were decisions he never thought twice about or ever wavered on.  Family is family.

John was a loving grandfather to Joe, Alyssa, and Vincent Borges, and to Johnny, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Christopher, and Maggie Mattera.  His eight grandchildren were his pride and joy, marveling at their accomplishments, their personalities and gifts, and how they longed for his cooking and the chance to spend time together.

He is also survived by his five siblings, Clorinda Iacono (late husband Ralph Iacono), Louie Mattera (wife Mary Buono Mattera), Larry Mattera (wife Betty Giuliano Mattera), Sal Mattera (wife Rose Conte Mattera), and Anna Mattera (husband Peter Mattera).  His siblings were always his closest friends and confidantes, a link to his childhood and a reminder that together is always the best place to be.

In addition, John is survived by many adoring nieces and nephews and his companion after his wife’s passing, Pina Mancusi, with whom he shared many interests, including cooking, gardening, and traveling.  He was a well-known mason and contractor throughout Fairfield County and the former owner of Grandma’s Restaurant and Grandma’s Italian Deli, both in Norwalk.  He always took great pride in his work and was known for being honest, fair, and highly skilled.

In every sense of the word, John is a legend—climbing mountains, carrying fifty pound bags of cement with ease over his shoulders, cooking for crowds, and entertaining family and friends with his stories.  His personality was huge, but his heart and his passion for living life to the fullest were, if you can imagine, even bigger.  His body was stronger than most people a quarter of his age, and he would literally give you the shirt off his back if it meant he had the chance to help you get a fresh start or a second chance.  His mind was sharp, and when it was set on doing something, there was no one or nothing that could change it.  Period.

His beginnings on the island of Ischia were very humble, but in the two decades he spent there he quickly learned two of life's most valuable lessons.  There is nothing more important than family, and there is always value in pushing up your sleeves and working hard.  He showed his love by stepping up to help using his hands and his talents— overseeing renovations at his children’s houses, tiling the floors of their homes, and building patios, front steps, and stone pillars with his incredible skill set as a mason.

John came to the United States in 1957 at the age of 20 with his brother Louie who was 18, with $20 in his pocket, in search of a better life.  Working long, hard hours, day in and day out, he sent money to his mother and siblings back in Ischia.  Over time, he called his other four siblings and his mother over until the seven of them were reunited again here in America.

In the summer of 2017, his family was extremely fortunate to take a trip with him to Ischia, the island off the coast of Naples, Italy where he was born, to celebrate his 80th birthday.  They will forever cherish how proud he was of his homeland and how genuinely happy he was to be there with his family.  He reveled in showing them buildings he helped construct, the church where he served as an altar boy, schools he attended, hiking to the top out Mount Epomeo, and standing on the steps of the house where he was born with his children and grandchildren.

Those who hold him most dear will miss his headstands, his trumpet playing, his homemade wine, his tomatoes, the family’s Friday night dinners, and his homemade mozzarella.  Above all else, it is his presence, his humor, and his kind and generous heart that will be missed most.  John was an incredible example of what is truly important in this life— family, sharing your gifts with the world, and staying true to yourself and to your roots.

Without a doubt, he was a light in this world and will be in the next.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 14, 2019 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Hoyt-Cognetta/Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, in Historic Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, 16 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Norwalk.