Joseph Mattlin

He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph P. Mattlin; his brothers, Tom Mattlin (Lois survives) and Dave Mattlin (Marlyn survives); and his sisters, Nancy Holmes, and Jenny Lanning.

Born on October 30, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joe followed in his older brother’s footsteps and entered the construction industry while still in high school. Determined to get started, he stretched the truth about his age to land a job on a Pennsylvania highway project working for his oldest brother. That determination and work ethic would define the rest of his life.

After high school, Joe continued his construction career on projects throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky with Wright-Codell Construction, Codell Construction, and Wright Contracting. Beginning as an equipment operator, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a foreman while still in his early twenties.

On May 1, 1976, Joe began what would become an outstanding 43-year career with Vecellio & Grogan, Inc. (V&G), a West Virginia firm headquartered in Beckley. Starting as a grade foreman, he continued advancing and became a superintendent and project manager by 1979. Over the years, he successfully managed numerous complex, multi-million-dollar highway construction projects throughout West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia, as well as the Brewer Gold Mine Reclamation Project in South Carolina. Joe was later promoted to Vice President of Construction and served in that role until his retirement in January 2019, concluding more than 50 years in the construction industry.

Throughout his long and accomplished career, Joe mentored countless construction professionals, including laborers, equipment operators, engineers, and managers. He was known for his unforgettable personality, relentless drive, quick wit, and ability to think two or three steps ahead. Having worked his way up through the ranks himself, Joe deeply respected the men and women working alongside him. He often organized employee gatherings and never missed an opportunity to show people he genuinely cared about their wellbeing.

Joe’s life was never about choosing the easy path. He thrived on challenges, problem-solving, learning and counseling when asked. He constantly asked “why,” whether he was troubleshooting a construction issue, perfecting a flounder fishing technique, figuring out how to make St. Augustine grass grow like centipede, improving his garden’s yield, chasing moles out of the yard, or wondering why the damn roof was leaking again. Joe never stopped questioning, learning, or searching for answers — even when the questions asked by him or to him were on a deeply personal level. The latter is where Joe excelled. He took a personal interest in helping others, even if his response might not have been popular. He was looking for the best in people and that is not always easy to deliver or receive at times.

While Joe took immense pride in his career and later hobbies, nothing mattered more to him than his family. He cherished time spent on the Intracoastal Waterway, whether fishing or relaxing in the sloughs with family and friends. He spared no expense when it came to bringing together “his people” for good food, drinks, fires, conversation, and laughter — whether locally, in Delta, Longwood, Cincinnati, Raleigh, Las Vegas or destinations abroad. To Joe, family extended far beyond relatives and included the many lifelong friends he welcomed into his life’s journey.

Joe never met a stranger. People naturally turned to him for guidance, career/financial advice, emotional support, or simply a listening ear. He greeted every conversation with warmth, wisdom, humor, and encouragement, and somehow always made people feel better before they left. Many will forever remember hearing him say, “I love you,” “Love you later,” or his signature farewell: “Get the hell out of my shop and go home!” as the evening concluded and the final wisp of cigar smoke faded away. Joseph, Joe, Pe Paw, Uncle Joe, or what every you called him was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed for generations to come.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Diane; his son, Daniel; and his granddaughters, Peyton and Leila. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Lois and Marilyn, brother Bob (Sue), his best friends and lifetime traveling buddies Sam and Linda Pontillo and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Shriners Children Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tunnels to Towers or the charity of your choice.

In lieu of formal services the family will receive friends on Sunday, the 24th of May from noon until 4:00 pm at the Nineteen restaurant at Olde Point Golf Club in Hampstead, NC (513 Country Club Drive).