Jeffrey Michael Matta
April 29, 1968 ~ December 9, 2017
Obituary
Jeffrey M. Matta “Jeff” (age 49)
After a two-year courageous battle with cancer, Jeffrey (“Jeff”) Michael Matta, age 49, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017, surrounded by lots of family and close friends. Jeff will forever be remembered by his wife and best friend, Marie, and their precious little son, Jacob. He will also be in the hearts of all the other family members and friends who were blessed to have known him.
Jeffrey was born April 29, 1968, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, son of the late parents William Paul Matta and Carolyn Clare Smith. He attended McKeesport High School and graduated in 1986. Following high school he attended The Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice in 1991. In 1997, Jeff married his hometown sweetheart and soul-mate Marie E. Matta (Fry) and re-located to Arlington, VA. Early on, in the first ten years of his career, he worked at DHL Danzas in both Sterling, VA, and Morrisville, NC, holding various positions in U.S. Customs brokerage and international trade, from import specialist to supervisor to district manager. He then joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2002 graduating as Class President and with the Highest Academic Award at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Since that time, Jeff has been employed with the agency for the past 16 years and until the time of his passing. He has held positions in the agency as a CBP Officer in Raleigh-Durham, NC; an analyst, training officer, and program manager at the National Targeting Center (NTC); an analysis specialist, deputy director, and director of the Office of Internal Affairs; and, most recently as a senior officer with the Admissibility Review Office (ARO).
Jeffrey is survived by his beloved wife, Marie E. Matta; his loving son, Jacob Jeffrey Matta; five siblings, William P. Matta, Jr. (Patty), Gregory A. Matta (Laura), Lisa A. Yost (John), Christopher A. Matta, Craig J. Matta (Julie); father-in-law Robert W. Fry (late Karen D. Fry); brother-in-law Christopher W. Fry (Karen) and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jeff loved spending time with his family and friends, playing with his young son, Jacob, laughing, and just enjoying life in the moment. Jeff gravitated to fun and adventure. He was a certified rescue SCUBA diver, logging over 100 dives with his loving wife, Marie, all over the world. He ran in charitable races and enjoyed road-biking and skiing. Jeff exhibited special mechanical and remodeling skills and in his spare time was often designing, repairing, re-wiring and constructing in his own home and vehicles. He had a very kind heart and a keen sense of humor. Over his lifetime Jeff was extremely musically inclined: singing in a Barber Shop Quartet, and various school and church choirs; playing his trombone; directing a large-sized band as Drum Major; and, performing in the Georgetown Community Chorale with his beautiful tenor voice. He was always very giving of his time and held positions at his local church as a Sunday School teacher, middle school and high school youth group counselor, handbell ringer, and choral member, to name a few, over the years. Jeff touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Two viewings at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA 22180, will occur between 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Thursday, December 14, 2017. A funeral service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St., N.E., Vienna, VA 22180, on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a grave-site burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church, VA, and then a reception at Vienna Presbyterian Church to celebrate Jeff’s life. Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Jeff’s five year old son, Jacob Matta, for an education fund.
Jeffrey M. Matta “Jeff” (age 49)
After a two-year courageous battle with cancer, Jeffrey (“Jeff”) Michael Matta, age 49, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017, surrounded by lots of family and close friends. Jeff will forever be remembered by his wife and best friend, Marie, and their precious little son, Jacob. He will also be in the hearts of all the other family members and friends who were blessed to have known him.
Jeffrey was born April 29, 1968, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, son of the late parents William Paul Matta and Carolyn Clare Smith. He attended McKeesport High School and graduated in 1986. Following high school he attended The Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice in 1991. In 1997, Jeff married his hometown sweetheart and soul-mate Marie E. Matta (Fry) and re-located to Arlington, VA. Early on, in the first ten years of his career, he worked at DHL Danzas in both Sterling, VA, and Morrisville, NC, holding various positions in U.S. Customs brokerage and international trade, from import specialist to supervisor to district manager. He then joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2002 graduating as Class President and with the Highest Academic Award at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Since that time, Jeff has been employed with the agency for the past 16 years and until the time of his passing. He has held positions in the agency as a CBP Officer in Raleigh-Durham, NC; an analyst, training officer, and program manager at the National Targeting Center (NTC); an analysis specialist, deputy director, and director of the Office of Internal Affairs; and, most recently as a senior officer with the Admissibility Review Office (ARO).
Jeffrey is survived by his beloved wife, Marie E. Matta; his loving son, Jacob Jeffrey Matta; five siblings, William P. Matta, Jr. (Patty), Gregory A. Matta (Laura), Lisa A. Yost (John), Christopher A. Matta, Craig J. Matta (Julie); father-in-law Robert W. Fry (late Karen D. Fry); brother-in-law Christopher W. Fry (Karen) and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jeff loved spending time with his family and friends, playing with his young son, Jacob, laughing, and just enjoying life in the moment. Jeff gravitated to fun and adventure. He was a certified rescue SCUBA diver, logging over 100 dives with his loving wife, Marie, all over the world. He ran in charitable races and enjoyed road-biking and skiing. Jeff exhibited special mechanical and remodeling skills and in his spare time was often designing, repairing, re-wiring and constructing in his own home and vehicles. He had a very kind heart and a keen sense of humor. Over his lifetime Jeff was extremely musically inclined: singing in a Barber Shop Quartet, and various school and church choirs; playing his trombone; directing a large-sized band as Drum Major; and, performing in the Georgetown Community Chorale with his beautiful tenor voice. He was always very giving of his time and held positions at his local church as a Sunday School teacher, middle school and high school youth group counselor, handbell ringer, and choral member, to name a few, over the years. Jeff touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Two viewings at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA 22180, will occur between 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Thursday, December 14, 2017. A funeral service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St., N.E., Vienna, VA 22180, on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a grave-site burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church, VA, and then a reception at Vienna Presbyterian Church to celebrate Jeff’s life. Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Jeff’s five year old son, Jacob Matta, for an education fund.
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My heart hurts over the loss of a man who always made me laugh. Rest in peace, my friend.
Teri George
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Charlotte, NC
May the family find comfort in loving memories, and in knowing that God is “close to those that are broken at heart; and he saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Our loving Creator, Jehovah God, has promised to soon “swallow up death forever…and wipe the tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). With deepest sympathy.
In honor of an esteemed colleague and cherished friend. With his outsized personality and relentless wit, Jeff leaves a lasting impact on those of us fortunate enough to have gotten to know him. A man with a booming voice and boisterous laugh that filled a room. A friend whose kindness and empathy filled our hearts.
We’ll miss you Big J.
I met Jeff when I was on a temporary assignment in 2006. He always made himself available for questions and offered any assistance to make the tasks manageable. I had such a positive experience, large part due to his generous spirit, that I made the move to the headquarters environment. Even as offices changed his presence did not. One of the few people who you knew would try to assist whenever you reached out. One of the kindest, funniest, most generous spirits I have ever met. He will be missed more than I can say. Upward and onward, Obi Wan!
I met Jeff when I first started working with the ARO. Being the new person, Jeff immediately made me feel welcome and at ease. with a smile always on his face and a positive attitude, Jeff was made it easy to go to him for anything. I am truly honored to have had the pleasure to know Jeff Matta.
I’ll always have great memories of Jeff. His quick sense of humor and positive attitude always cheered me up. Everyone who knew him will miss him.
Please accept my condolences, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeff was my classmate at the US Customs academy and I remember him as a very kind person. We had a lot of laughs. My condolences to his family. I know he will be greatly missed.