Matthew Andrew Biss

.Matthew Andrew Biss passed away peacefully in Falls Church, VA on May 12, 2016. Matthew, a former Naval Officer will be laid to rest with a Full Honors ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, VA on February 13, 2016. Born in Jeannette, PA in 1925, he worked briefly at Jeanette Glass Company before enlisting as a seaman in 1943. He studied at Dartmouth University for 16 months and Northwestern University in Chicago for 4 months and then he served with the Navy in the Asiatic-Pacific theater until 1954, when he resigned with the rank of Lieutenant Jr. Grade. He had served as an enlisted man and then an officer on the USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869), the USS Dubuque(PG-17), and the USS Charleston (PG-51). He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.

While on active reserves, Matthew obtained a B.S. degree in Chemistry. After resigning his commission, Matthew then began work as a Chemical Researcher for Gulf oil in Aliquippa, PA, where he met and married Jean Woods. He left Gulf Oil after 30 years of service. Matthew and Jean divorced in 1980. Matthew moved to Port Richey, FL along with a friend who would become his new life long partner, Sally McAfoose. Matthew moved to New Hampshire to be near Sally’s family in her final years, and then to Virginia to be near his son.

Matthew was preceded by father and mother John and Myrtle Biss, his sister Helen and his brother John. His former wife Jean passed shortly after in December of 2016. His longtime partner Sally McAfoose passed in 2012. He is survived by his daughter Laura, and his son David. He is also survived by his nephew John Biss, Jr.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the National Funeral Home of Falls Church, VA.