- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Everett Matteo
His whole life he wanted to have a family. A young Everett spied a pretty girl named Elaine Barber in his Swedesboro neighborhood. Word reached her that he was interested in dating. She declined but was later coaxed into it by her brother, Richie. It would lead to a 58-year marriage: lots of give and take but she would be the calming anchor of his existence. And with Elaine he would get so much more than a wife; Everett became part of the Barber clan, the late Richie more of a brother than an in-law, and a lifelong partner in horseshoes. His family would grow with the addition of sons, Tom, Steve and John. As a dad he was more of an adviser offering up knowledge on everything from baseball to marriage to child rearing, but the boys were free to make their own decisions. To support his family, he always worked a couple jobs; the counter at the liquor store, Del Monte and even painting houses to make ends meet. He eventually landed a job working the yard at Wickes Lumber. It wasn’t long till they figured out he had a dynamic personality and moved him inside to sell kitchens. Year after year he’d be the number one seller for the entire chain. After some years he sat his family down and told them of his plan to open their own kitchen store in Woodstown. Tom and Steve agreed to come aboard; Elaine would do the books and Matteo Family Kitchens was born. The heart of the home specialists would be a huge success. Contractors and customers knew Everett valued his relationship with them much more than profits; for him it was a source of pride. Likewise with his friendships; he maintained them for life. For 30 years you’d find most of his friends gathered around his card table for “guys’ night” laughing and loving each other’s company. Everett took great pleasure in taking the boys’ money playing poker. He was always amazed how none of the guys would fold and, in turn, would take their easy money. He always dealt the first and last hands of the night. He had a lifelong love of baseball playing in high school and for much of his adult life he coached. He started off in his teens as an umpire and would eventually coach his son’s baseball team and later the softball team at Buddy’s. A loyal fan of the Phillies, he would try to watch the games but often had to turn it off and just walk away. Sometimes he’d turn it back on a couple of innings later. Everett was strong in his faith and active at Trinity Episcopal Church; a eucharistic minister and served on the vestry.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his sons, Tom (Valerie), Steve (Gwen) and John (Jennifer Seltzer) Harmon; grandchildren, Kimberly, Dominic, Lauren, Kristina, Rayna, Jacob and Stephanie; and great grandchildren, Jay, Jaida, Vason, Jordyn, Lucas, John and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews who he treated as if they were if his own.
Come celebrate 79 great years Friday 5-7 p.m. and Saturday 10-11 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro where there will be an 11 a.m. service. Interment Lake Park Cemetery, Swedesboro.
10 Comments
Mr Matteo was my baseball coach and I will always remember his teachings on and off the field. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this most difficult time. Rest peacefully with the angels dear faithful servant.
Elaine – Becky and I are praying for you and the family.
Prayers and love are being sent to all the family. Especially Mrs Matteo
I have been blessed to have known Mr Matteo over 34 yrs.
When Val became part of the Matteo Family .
,He also became a very important person in her brother Bill s life.
God Bless
Love Aunt Pinky
May all of the Matteos be comforted by God as they mourn. Hold onto those precious memories of a life well-lived and know that one day you will be reunited with your loved one. In the meantime, hug each other, lean on each other and share those wonderful times together. I love you all! You will be sorely missed, Everett. RIP
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all 🙏🙏. You will be forever cherished with wonderful memories of a great man.
My memories are of being in Aunt Elaine and Uncle Everett’s house and playing with my cousins while the grown ups drank beer and played cards. Each week we would go to a family members house and have lots of fun and then fall asleep wherever you laid your head down. I sure do miss those days. Dad would say I am going to Wickes Lumber and I would get to see Uncle Ev. He was a great kitchen designer and lots of houses in this town have Wickes kitchens and later on a Matteo Family Kitchen. RIP Uncle Everett, you surely will be missed by a lot of people including me. Love you to my whole family.
Sending love and prayers to Mrs. Matteo. I am so very sorry for your loss. Everett was a kind, caring and very respectful man. Whenever I would see him I would always talk about my son playing baseball and he loved hearing my stories… he would smile from ear to ear. God bless his soul, God bless his family… his beautiful family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏻❤️
Sorry to hear of Everett’s passing. Our friendship started very early starting with playing together in the Swedesboro little league. We stayed friends for many of our young years and had a lot of fun together. After high school we didn’t that much of each as our lives moved moved on in different directions. We would meet up sometimes in restaurants which was great. I was really happy after seeing what he had accomplished in his life. He and Elaine raised a great family and built a great business which I used. I pray for Elaine and the entire family that God will give you his comfort during this time. We have to be so grateful that we will meet up again in Heaven !!!
Everett and I go back a long way. He was my salesman at Wickes Lumber where we did a lot of business together. After all these years in business, Everett was, hands down,one of the finest salesmen I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. My condolences to his family.
Sincerely,
Jim Falisi
So sorry to hear of Everetts’ passing. my deepest sympathy to the whole family.