- Date Of Birth: November 17, 1920
- Date Of Death: January 15, 2013
- State: New Jersey
Frank Ralph Matarese, age 92, of Monroe, NC., passed away Tuesday, January 15th at his home. Frank was born on November 17, 1920 in Burlington, NJ, a son of the late James and Frances Matarese. Frank enlisted in the Army-Air Force during World War II and proved to be an unstoppable force of wisdom and ingenuity. He worked as Chief Master Welder during the war and served in the China, India, Burma theatres of war. He invented and developed a method in which he could “burn out bad spark plugs” in a plane engine without having to take the engine apart first, normally a 22 hour job.
His method of using Liquid Nitrogen allowed him to do the job in less than thirty minutes. After his invented method was approved by the Army-Air Force, he was given an airplane and pilot to exclusively travel everywhere teaching young welders how to duplicate his process. He reached a peak in his career when he had 800 welders under his supervision. After his honorable discharge, Sgt. Matarese married Jean Marie Schultz and joined his brothers in the family business at United Aero Products in Burlington.
Preceded in death by his wife of 42 years Jean, and his daughter Gloria Haines, he is survived by his brothers Joseph and wife Emma Matarese and James and wife Betty Matarese, his four children and spouses: Robert (Linda) Matarese of Indian Trail, NC, Linda Joy (Paul) Harpain of Monroe, NC, Christopher (Margaret) Matarese of Matthews, NC, and Veronica (Christopher) Desbiaux of Winston-Salem, NC. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Michael Thomas & Katy Matarese of Rock Hill, SC, Melanie Kara & Jamie Popjes of Jacksonville, FL, James Matarese of CA, Jacqueline Mines of NC, Sara Korang Wilken of NJ, Catherine Desilles of NC, Dennis & Heather Haines of NJ, and Jeanette Desbiaux of NC; two great-grandchildren: Mr. Max Munley of NC, and Mr. Brogan Haines of NJ.
Frank is also survived by a very dear, loving and gracious companion to his late daughter, Gloria, Mr. Jack Rose, as well as Jean’s remaining family; sister Josephine Russo of Riverside, NJ, and brother Alexander (Grace) Schultz of Burlington. Frank was a privilege to know, well respected by friends, business acquaintances in the Metal Finishing Industry, colleagues and family. He will be irreplaceable. The sorrow we all share is the loss of his love, consideration and thoughtfulness that was given so freely.
