Daniel Matyola

Daniel Matyola, 81, died peacefully on May 2, 2023.

Born in Somerville and raised in Manville and Bridgewater, he was a graduate of Somerville High School in 1959 with a perfect SAT score. He went on to graduate from Dartmouth College in 1963. Mr. Matyola bravely served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Daniel was a trained Radar Intercept Officer and Bombardier / Navigator and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal, Air Medal 17th Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1968 after four years of distinguished service and he went on to continue his education at the Rutgers School of Law in Newark where he graduated with his Judiciary Doctorate in 1971. He married the love of his life, Leonora (Lee) Rogers in 1965, and settled in Branchburg, where they raised their family.

After law school Mr. Matyola worked in Trenton as assistant council for Governor Cahill before finally creating a law firm in Somerville with a high school colleague, Jeff Stanley called Stanley and Matyola.

Daniel enjoyed photography, and had a love to travel with his family, especially on their annual trips to Hawaii. During his travels he was scuba certified and enjoyed diving with his son Greg. They have been to Hawaii, Paris, Rome, Ireland, the Greek Islands, England, Spain, China, Japan, and our National Parks and Alaska creating memories that last a lifetime. He had a love of theater, and every wedding anniversary his gift from Lee was a Broadway show they saw together. Over his lifetime, he was an avid coin and stamp collector who enjoyed raising and tracking monarch butterflies. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy with his son Greg and the quality time spent with his family.

Mr. Matyola was a Charter Member of the Branchburg Rotary Club, and held the roles of President of the Rotary and Sergeant at Arms, and was a Paul Harris fellow. His philanthropic work included Holiday Happiness and Pedals For Progress, and SHIP programs, as well as countless hours of volunteer time and ideas to better the organization and community at large. He contributed back to his Alma mater, Dartmouth College, and the Matyola family remained active in charity work for decades.

He was preceded in death by his dear sister Elizabeth and his cherished son Clayton.

Surviving are his beloved wife Lee Matyola and loving son Greg Matyola, his extended family, his Rotary community, constituents, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 10:00AM at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Funeral Home beginning at 9:00 AM

Interment will follow at New Cemetery, Somerville.

Donations in Daniel's memory can be made to the Branchburg Rotary Scholarship Foundation Donate Here