William "Bill" Matthews

Picture it. 1956 Jersey City. Angelina Matthews (nee Ortense) and William W Matthews Jr bring their new baby boy home to meet his sister, Patricia Matthews deRobertis. Soon to follow are sister Sharon Matthews Ciemiecki (deceased), brother James Matthews, and sister Anne Matthews. Bill was a devoted Uncle to Denise DeRobertis, Valerie DeRobertis, Edmund Ciemiecki, Kara Campano, Andrew Ciemiecki, and Kaitlain Bastidas Ciemiecki. Always a “great” uncle, Bill was a loving Great Uncle to 8 Great Nieces and Great Nephews. He was Godfather to several Godchildren. Bill is also survived by his Aunt and Godmother Josephine Ortense Romano and brother-in-law Stanley Ciemiecki both of whom he loved dearly and was loved dearly in return.

Bill wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea with his grumpy exterior. But, if you knew the man under the bushy moustache, you know he had a heart bigger than himself.

During his lifetime, Bill spent a short time as the Republican Committeeman for Downtown Jersey City and for several years was a Boy Scout leader. His career as a mechanic began by pumping gas for the Cacciatores on Henderson Street. He perfected his craft so that it and his honesty gained him a loyal following of clients. This includes 20 years of working for and with Julio Clavijo whose family also became his.

As a lifelong resident of Jersey City, Bill was a devoted Catholic and member of Holy Rosary Parish. From his Baptism to the grave, Bill served as an altar boy, usher, one of the Socially Concerned, Chief Baker for Altar Boy and Girl Scout bake sales, Holy Name Member and Parish Council Member. He served terms as President of both the Holy Name and the Parish Council.

Bill leaves a gaping hole in the lives of his family and friends. Fortunately, he leaves behind many stories and memories to fill it.

We ask, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association.

Visitation on Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Union Funeral Home.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend the Funeral on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 344 Sixth Street, Jersey City, NJ.  (Please meet directly at church).

Burial will follow the mass at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle, NJ