Matteo, Richard J.

ALBANY- Richard J. Matteo “Dick” 83, passed away suddenly on June 5, 2017.

Dick was born in Albany on August 26, 1933, to Josephine Marino Matteo and Anthony Matteo. Dick lived in Albany all his life and graduated from Vincentian Institute (VI) in 1951 and Ithaca College in 1955, where he was a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity and the Newman Club. Dick was very active and served on the School Boards for VI and Bishop Maginn High School in Albany.

Dick began his career with the City School District of Albany as a Physical Education and Health Teacher. Afterwards, he cultivated a rewarding career with the NY State Departments of Labor and Transportation, retiring in 1990 after more than 30 years of service.

Dick was an active member of the Guilderland Elks, BPOE #2480, for more than 35 years, organizing Italian Nights, working in the kitchen alongside his many dear friends and always looked forward to Tuesday night cards. He was a member of both the Elks and Helderberg Senior Golf Leagues at Western Turnpike Golf Course.

He and his wife enjoyed their annual trips to Ogunquit, ME, and their many excursions to Foxwoods Resorts.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Florence Santulli Matteo, his devoted and caring children (a.k.a. “My Magnificent Seven”), and their spouses, Ginny McDonough (late Michael), Michael (Dawn) Matteo, Cathy (Dan) Musella, Joseph (Mary Ellen) Matteo, Anne (Michael) Guldenstern, Christine (Bill) Guldenstern, and Patty (Michael) Hoffman, and by his grandchildren, Jeff McDonough, Michael (Kait), Ashlee (Joe Berrios), Stephen, Christopher, and Matthew Matteo, Kristen (Frank) Belli, Danny, and Samuel Musella, Brian (Liz), and Joshua Cellery, Eric Guldenstern, Haylee, Brendan, Michael, and Nick Hoffman, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear friend and golf buddy, Andy Nestuk, as well as his sisters-in-law Carolyn (late Benjamin) Abbate, Madeline (late Philip) Santulli, and Denise (Jim) Moreen, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Albany Fire Department and St. Peter’s ER staff.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday, June 9, 2017, from 4-7 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 8:15 am from the funeral home thence to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St. Albany, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am. Entombment will follow the Mass in the Mausoleum of St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send donations to Ronald McDonald House, 139 South Lake Ave. Albany, NY 12208, or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.