Joseph V. Matarazzo Sr., age 94, of Stratford CT, the beloved husband for 71 years of Emma DiOrio Matarazzo, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2018 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford.

Born February 17, 1924 in Pennsylvania but raised in the Bronx, NY, he was a proud WWII U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, serving in the South Pacific. A life-long N.Y. Yankees fan, he was at the July 4, 1939 game when Lou Gehrig gave his farewell address. He moved his family to Stratford in 1956 and retired from Trans-Act International as a shop manager. A kind and gentle man, with a very strong faith, he was much loved by all who knew him. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family.

Survivors, in addition to his much-loved soul-mate Emma, include his devoted children Janet DiMenna (John), Joseph Jr. (Valerie), and Marie Sawyer (Bruce), and his adoring (and adored) grandchildren, Christian (Stacy) and David DiMenna, Joseph and Raymond Matarazzo, and Jack and Emmalie Sawyer, and many loved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Ralph and Carmela Matarazzo, he was predeceased by two sisters and five brothers.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful, loving and devoted care-givers at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, who he called his angels. We will remember them always. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Connecticut Hospice in Branford in Joseph's memory.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday August 26, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Dennis & D'Arcy-Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main Street, Stratford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 27, 2018 at St. James Church in Stratford at 10:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at Union Cemetery in Stratford. To offer online condolences to his family please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com