Obituary for Matthew Supko
Matthew Edward (Matt) Supko was born on March 15, 1935, in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania, to Wassel Supko and Helen Churney. He grew up in Osceola Mills, the middle child of seven. In his spare time, he pursued a passion for baseball that continued throughout his lifetime, even trying out for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Matt served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1958-1960. He did Basic Training at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina and then shipped out to Korea. As a Specialist 4, his assignment was playing baseball in the Army league as entertainment and a morale boost for the troops.
On February 20, 1960, Matt married Jean Louise Gillen at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania. His job with Delta Airlines soon brought them to Queens, New York, where their first son, Jeffrey, was born in 1962. They purchased a home of their own in Deer Park, New York, where Jonathan was born in 1969. Matt and Jean were active for many years in St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Dix Hills, New York.
Matt and Jean enjoyed traveling with their children and, later, on their own. Trips to Hawaii, London, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Disney World, and Portugal, plus cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean provided many fond memories for Matt and for his family.
Matt’s 39-year career with Delta Airlines culminated in early retirement in 1995. Matt and Jean then moved back to Dubois, Pennsylvania, to be closer to their brothers and sisters as Jeff, Jon, and their wives left Long Island. Granddaughter Rachel was born in 1996, and Catherine followed in 1998.
In addition to playing and watching baseball, Matt enjoyed watching football (especially his beloved Steelers and Penn State) and socializing with friends and neighbors.
In 2005, Matt and Jean moved to Odenton, Maryland, rejoining their children and grandchildren. After Jean’s death in 2017, Matt moved to Burlington, North Carolina, living with Jeff and Maryann until his health required full-time care late in 2020.
Matt was pre-deceased by Jean, his wife of 57 years; his parents, Wassel Supko and Helen Churney; and by his siblings Helen Rebar, Joseph, Mary Janet (died in infancy).
His is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Maryann) and Jonathan (Paige); his grandchildren, Rachel “Rae” and Catherine “Katy”; and his brothers, Paul and Robert, and sister, Barbara Fetcenko.
Services and Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Kruise-Spewock Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Madera are entrusted with services.
Condolences may be made at www.kruise-spewock.com.
Matt served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1958-1960. He did Basic Training at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina and then shipped out to Korea. As a Specialist 4, his assignment was playing baseball in the Army league as entertainment and a morale boost for the troops.
On February 20, 1960, Matt married Jean Louise Gillen at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania. His job with Delta Airlines soon brought them to Queens, New York, where their first son, Jeffrey, was born in 1962. They purchased a home of their own in Deer Park, New York, where Jonathan was born in 1969. Matt and Jean were active for many years in St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Dix Hills, New York.
Matt and Jean enjoyed traveling with their children and, later, on their own. Trips to Hawaii, London, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Disney World, and Portugal, plus cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean provided many fond memories for Matt and for his family.
Matt’s 39-year career with Delta Airlines culminated in early retirement in 1995. Matt and Jean then moved back to Dubois, Pennsylvania, to be closer to their brothers and sisters as Jeff, Jon, and their wives left Long Island. Granddaughter Rachel was born in 1996, and Catherine followed in 1998.
In addition to playing and watching baseball, Matt enjoyed watching football (especially his beloved Steelers and Penn State) and socializing with friends and neighbors.
In 2005, Matt and Jean moved to Odenton, Maryland, rejoining their children and grandchildren. After Jean’s death in 2017, Matt moved to Burlington, North Carolina, living with Jeff and Maryann until his health required full-time care late in 2020.
Matt was pre-deceased by Jean, his wife of 57 years; his parents, Wassel Supko and Helen Churney; and by his siblings Helen Rebar, Joseph, Mary Janet (died in infancy).
His is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Maryann) and Jonathan (Paige); his grandchildren, Rachel “Rae” and Catherine “Katy”; and his brothers, Paul and Robert, and sister, Barbara Fetcenko.
Services and Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Kruise-Spewock Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Madera are entrusted with services.
Condolences may be made at www.kruise-spewock.com.