Online Obituaries Edward 'Eddie' Matta, 87 years, a lifelong resident of Brockton, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Good Samaritan Medical Center after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Shirley R. (Doten) Matta and the co-owner and operator of the Shirley Matta Dance Academy and Brockton School of Gymnastics. Among his many professional accomplishments, Eddie opened the dance and gymnastics school in 1956 with his wife, the same year the couple married. He was a graduate of: Brockton High School, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a B.S. in Marine and Electrical Engineering, and Boston College, with a B.S. in Business Administration. A registered professional engineer for the state of Massachusetts, Eddie was the acting chief engineer and supervisory general engineer for the VA Medical Center in Brockton. He was one of 28 engineers selected from throughout the U.S. to initiate a safety program to be implemented in all Veteran Administration establishments across the country. In addition, Eddie was a licensed merchant marine engineer officer, and was employed as a senior engineer, naval architect and mechanical engineer with Bethlehem Steel's Shipbuilding Division in Quincy. A recognized health safety official(OSHA), Eddie was a member of the Harvard University Medical School of Public Health Sub-Committee on Hospitals. Eddie served in the military as a Lieutenant-Commander in the U.S. Navy. He was a Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve and accrued over 30 years of commissioned service. He was selected as the Veteran of the Year of Brockton by the Brockton Veteran's Council in 1968 for his many years of service to the community. In addition to his volunteer work with the Brockton Veteran's Council, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the D.A.V., and the American Legion. He is credited by the Veterans Administration and Brockton Fire Department for helping to save the lives of four painters who were overcome by fumes while painting the inside of the 160-foot high water tower at Brockton Veterans Hospital. Eddie was involved in local politics, and also served as former chairman of the Brockton Board of Appeals, former chairman of the Brockton Parking Authority, and member of BHS building committee. He also served on numerous fundraising committees that benefited the community, private organizations, his church, and including the Massasoit Community College Scholarship Foundation where he served as President. Eddie enjoyed boating in East Falmouth, traveling to Florida, and golfing, but most of all he loved spending time with his family. He will be most remembered as a caring, loving, and devoted family man. He will be forever missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving daughters, Lisa Matta-Paze and her husband Michael, Linda Matta-Brailsford and her husband Gordon, all of Bridgewater, Lori Matta of Florida, Lesli Matta of California; his adored grandchildren Christopher and Ashley Paze, and Brittney, Blake, and Brooke Brailsford. He is also survived by his sister Rose Anne Saad of Easton and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brothers Richard, Thomas, James and Alfred Matta. Funeral Information Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Monday, April 14th at 9:30AM thence to St. Theresa Maronite Catholic Church, 343 No. Main St., Brockton where the Service of the Devine Mysteries will be celebrated at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in the VA National Cemetery, Bourne. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home Sunday 3:00-7:00PM with an Incense Service at 6:00PM.