Matthew J. Battista formerly of Stow, Ohio passed away on December 15 ^th , 2020 from COVID-19. He was born on July 1 ^st , 1933 in Akron, Ohio.  He loved life, his family and many friends.

Matt graduated from North High School, class of 1951, and was proud of his North Hill roots and his Italian heritage. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and he went on to graduate from Montgomery College and Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He began his professional career at BFGoodrich where he worked for 40 years serving in many roles and retired as the Vice President of Administration. He was honored to say he worked for only one company his entire career, but meeting his wife of 64 years, Geraldine Wagoner, on an elevator at Goodrich, was always the greatest moment of his professional days.

Matt was fortunate to have many great experiences throughout his life. He played a round of golf with Arnold Palmer at Latrobe Country Club, and he saw the last Cleveland Browns Championship in 1964 keeping his ticket stub and official program, which he used to prove he was at the game as his son and grandson couldn't relate to the Browns winning a Championship. One of his fondest experiences was traveling to San Marco in Lamis Italy, the village where his parents were from and meeting many of his aunts, uncles and cousins and visiting the farm where his father grew up. Some of Matt's pleasures in life included trips to Lake Cecebe in Canada with friends and family, eating fresh picked wild chicory (dandelion greens) salads in the spring, tending to his tomato and pepper garden, clambakes in the fall (his claim to fame was eating 23 dozen clams at one clambake), weekly Friday night dinners that went on for over 25 years at Gus' Chalet with his dear friend Bill Ricco, and playing golf with his gang where jokes, insults and mulligans were frequent. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on his front porch in Tallmadge Woods after dinner where he would be having a cigar and Drambuie while holding court with friends, neighbors, and family. There was always a story to tell, a debate to have, a problem to solve and a laugh to share on that porch.

Matt was a member of St. Eugene Catholic Church, Silver Lake Country Club, Akron Gyro Club, and he was a former trustee of his beloved Walsh Jesuit High School.

Matt always knew what mattered most, his family. He is preceded in death by his parents Antonio and Arcangela Battista, his brother Pete Battista, sisters Grace Ciavarella and Mary Maneval, and grandson Alex Harr. He is survived by his wife Gerry, sons Anthony and Donald (Wendi) Battista, and daughter Elizabeth (Jeff) Harr.  He is also survived by his greatest joys, his loving grandchildren Matthew (fiancée Kelsey Graf), Vincent and Nicholas Battista, Hayden Harr (fiancée Kellie Nesbitt), and his great granddaughter Paxtyn Harr. He also leaves his devoted dog Abbey who was always by his side, and many nieces and nephews.

There are special people in our lives who never leave us…. even after they are gone. We love you every day, and now we will miss you every day. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered . A celebration mass of Matt's purposeful life will be held at St. Eugene Catholic Church at a later date when the virus dissipates.

If you desire, donations in Matt's name can be made to Walsh Jesuit High School 4550 Wyoga Lake Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224.