Joseph P. Matt

Joseph Paul Matt

September 14, 1932 – February 26, 2023

“Joe” Joseph Paul Matt, 90, of Hernando, Florida, passed away at his home on February 26, 2023. Joe was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 14, 1932, to parents George and Johanna Matt. He attended St. Mary’s Parish and graduated from Chaminade Catholic High School where he maintained life-long friendships with many of his classmates. After high school he joined the United States Air Force and served with the Military Air Transport Service in Japan and the Strategic Air Command in Limestone, Maine. He graduated from the University of Dayton School of Engineering. Joe had a 24-year career with Ampex Corporation in Dayton, Ohio and Vienna, Virginia in engineering and sales. He then worked 8 years with International Imaging Systems as their eastern regional sales manager. Joe was a skilled carpenter like his father and built many pieces of furniture and could fix just about anything. After retirement in 1994, he established JPM Kitchen Upgrades to occupy his time.

Joe fell in love with and later married Rosalie Benchic on January 30, 1960. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters—Mary Jo, Joan, Katherine, and Paula. In 2001, Joe and Rosalie built and moved into their retirement home in The Villages of Citrus Hills in Hernando, Florida and he played a lot of golf with the Bad Golfers Association (BGA). He was a member of and Eucharistic Minister for St. Scholastica Parish and an active member and editor of The Dove newsletter for the Knights of Columbus.

Joe was the most supportive and complete companion a wife could have asked for. They loved to travel and visited many places. He was also an amazing father. Joe is survived by his loving wife Rosalie, daughters, Mary Jo Hedrick and granddaughter Amanda of Lantana, Florida, Joan Matt and grandson Bradley of Fairfax, Virginia, Kathy Kennedy and son-in-law Tom with grandchildren Devin and Delaney of Centerville, Virginia, and Paula Warren and son-in-law John “Chan” of Wilmington, North Carolina. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, George and Johanna Matt and brother George Matt. Joe had a life-long devotion to Mary the mother of Jesus. He felt that all the good things in his life were brought about by her intercession.

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, a rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 10:30 AM at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Lecanto, Florida followed by Mass at 11:00 AM.

Graveside services to be held at a later date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell and are open to all who wish to attend.

Arrangements by Heinz Funeral Home and Cremation, Inverness, Florida. www.heinzfh.com.