Joseph Edward Matthews

Joseph Edward Matthews, was called home by his Lord on August 15, 2011; born May 4, 1938 in Pittsfield, Mass, he was the son of the late William E. Matthews and the late Jeannette I. Bourassa Matthews Robare.

After serving twenty years of service, TSGT Joseph Edward Matthews, retired with honorable discharge from the US Air Force. His duties included working in avionic navigation system technology and radio repair. After retiring from his military career, he resided in Hampton, VA.

After leaving military life, Joe worked as a television repairman and then started his second career with Old Dominion Security as a security officer. He rose through the ranks steadily, with positions that included site supervisor, mobile patrol supervisor, assistant operations manager, operations manager, and finally the coveted senior operations manager position. Major Matthews, as he was known for countless years, hired, trained and managed thousands of security professionals at the region’s finest properties during his almost twenty years with the firm. During his management tenure, his professionalism, dedication and attention to detail extended to over 5 million hours of security services performed throughout Hampton Roads. One of his favorite work sites was Hampton General Hospital where he really insisted that everyone toe the line when security was involved. There he was dubbed “Captain Snoopy” because he “snooped” every possible violation of the hospital rules and took appropriate action. The nickname “Snoopy” stuck and Joe’s personal collection of Snoopys began.

Joe was an extremely charitable man. If there was a cause, he contributed; either monetarily or by muscle. His favorite charity was St. Jude’s. He was well read, was a US and world history buff, and did crossword puzzles daily. Debating was his favorite sport, and he was a fan of the New York Yankees, which got him into a lot of debating with Met fans. He was an avid gardener, and particularly loved day lilies and roses.

He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Mary Ann McAlpin Jutras Matthews; a sister, Shirley M. Anello and husband Joe of Pittsfield, Mass.; brothers, William G. Matthews and wife Mary of Pittsfield, Mass., and James P. Matthews and wife Karen of Tuczon, AZ; was a devoted father to daughters, Laura Ann Matthews Planck and husband Michael Eugene of Cincinnati, OH and Deborah “Debbie” Marie Matthews-Bouregba and husband Yassine Bouregba of Charleston, SC.; step sons John Paul Jutras and wife Vicki of Gloucester, VA and Joseph Alan Jutras of Hampton, VA; grandsons, Steven Michael Planck and Danielle Renee Sorrell, Christopher Allen Planck, James William Lewis Jr., and Muhammad A. Bouregba; step granddaughter, Elizabeth Angel Jutras; step grandsons John Paul Jutras, III and Jason Jutras; great-grandchildren Kaden Zachary Planck, Tyler Jay Planck, Galvin Jutras; many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins. To his great grandchildren he was known as “the great one.”

The family wishes to thank all hospital, rehabilitation, emergency room, rescue/fire department, and all other health care related personnel, including hospice, for the tender loving care given to Joe over many years. They are angels in disguise and very much appreciated.

Gifts of flowers will be appreciated; optional memorial donations may be made to St Jude’s, or your local fire department.

The family will receive friends Friday, August 19, 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 2:00 PM at the funeral home follow by interment with military honors at the Hampton-Veterans Memorial Gardens, Hampton, VA.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.