Obituary of Joseph "Spike" P. DeMatteo

Joseph "Spike" P. DeMatteo, of Rome and Naples, FL, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at home. He was born in Rome, NY, son of the late Philip and Magdalena DeLilli DeMatteo. Spike was a graduate of Rome Free Academy and attended University of Miami. On August 26, 1960 he married Patricia DeMare in St. John the Baptist Church, a life's journey of sixty years.

Joe was a mason for Union #50, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen for fifty years. He took great pride in being a building partner of the former, Elmcrest Golf Course, currently Shamrock Golf Course, Oriskany. Playing golf and other sports, especially any NY teams and the NY Yankees, were a passion for Joe. He was a friend to many, with a special bond to his cousin, Louie DeMatteo. Joe enjoyed a loving relationship with each of his beloved four children. One outstanding joy was being "Boomp" to his grandchildren. Boomp's love of golf and other fun stuff was passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church.

Surviving besides his wife, Dr. Patricia D. DeMatteo, are his children; Todd DeMatteo, Naples, FL, Geselle (Richard) Sadler, Argyle, TX, Elaina (Richard) Adolfi, Mt. Pleasant, SC, Leann (Mark) Till, Bonita Springs, FL, beloved grandchildren; Wyatt Adolfi, Ian Sadler, Spencer Adolfi, Dylan Sadler, Isabella, Axel and Sophia Till, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Magdalena DeLilli DeMatteo, and a sister, Jeanette DeMatteo, along with many aunts and uncles.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Rome Police Department, Officers James Richardson and Sgt. Derek Utter, Amcare Ambulance Service, especially Ken Boone, physicians, Vivian Taylor, M.D., Brent Carlyle, M.D., and Samuel Benjamin, M.D., Keneth Hall M.D., and their teams, Nascentia Health Staff: Cathy Dunham RN, and Duane Carpenter PT. In addition, the family expresses deep appreciation to the Bush Funeral Home, for their courtesy and respect shown to the family.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 12:30 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating.  Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., on Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Anyone who wishes to attend is asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidlines.Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's name to: St. John the Baptist Memorial Fund, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY, 13440, Humane Society of Rome, Inc., P.O. Box 4572, Rome, NY, 13442-4572, or RFA Senior Awards Scholarship for Golf, c/o Maureen Nash, P.O. Box 568, Rome, NY 13442

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com