PORTSMOUTH – CWO4 Everett "Mattie" Matteson, Sr., USCG (Retired) "crossed the bar" and left this world to be with the Lord and other beloved family members on Saturday, February 6th, 2021—his 94th birthday—in the company of his loving family.

Mattie was born and raised by his mother and aunts in Providence, Rhode Island and attended Cleary School until he reached the age of 17; when he volunteered and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to join the battle against axis forces during World War II. He proudly served for 30 years and retired from the service in 1975 as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO4). His service led him to several duty locations in the United States before being assigned to the USCG Fifth District in Portsmouth, VA.

Mattie joined the USCG in 1945 and served until the end of WWII where he received an honorable discharge. After a short time back in Providence he became restless for the salty air of the ocean and re-enlisted to serve again with the USCG as an enlisted Supply Clerk. He quickly advanced through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer, and then earning a commission as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Financial and Supply (F&S) specialty. Throughout his 30-year career he served in seven Coast Guard cutters based in the northeastern Atlantic states and several duty stations including Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; Great Lakes, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Staten Island, New York (one of first USCG families on Governors Island); USCG Fifth District, Base Portsmouth (downtown), Virginia; and finishing his career as the comptroller for Coast Guard Air Station, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He earned a number of awards and recognition during his career and following his service he continued to be involved with the USCG through the local and national Chief Warrant Officer Association. For his superior dedication to the CWOA he was awarded the title of "Distinguished Member."

Mattie, along with his beloved wife Josephine "Jo," whom he met and married in 1953 while stationed in Boston, MA, had a passion for several hobbies and rounded out his "retired" life with family, friendship, church and community activities, and travel. He enjoyed fun, fishing and camping in his Lyman Cruisette and Airstream "silver bullet," collecting and trading M.J. Hummel figurines, attending concerts and Norfolk Admirals hockey games (locally and away) as one of the first and longest season ticket holders. They both enjoyed traveling (via automobile) to all borders of the country to visit friends and family, with an occasional cruise voyage thrown in for variety. Mattie volunteered as an assistant scout master with Boy Scout Troop 214 and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a pillar in his church community as an original member and active participant with the Church of the Resurrection, and a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Saint Paul Council 418 and Assembly 1166 of Portsmouth, Virginia. Another favorite pastime in recent years was joining his dear friends Dave, Harry, Whitney, and others on Thursdays for lunch, what they called the ROMEO group, or "retired old men eating out."

Mattie was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret (Burke); his wife Josephine (Kelley); two sons, Richard, 2nd Lieutenant, USMC and Everett Jr. "Jay," PPD; and great-grandson Caleb Matteson. Among the many living to cherish his memory are his daughter JoAnne Foster and husband Daniel, and son Paul Matteson; grandchildren Chris Matteson, Paul "PJ" Matteson, Jr. and wife Rachael, Kelley Foster, and Kristen Funk (Foster) and husband Matt; great-grandchildren Nathan and Naomi Matteson, and Eleanor Funk.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13 at the Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Ln, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Face masks and social distancing shall be maintained at all times. A celebration of the Eucharist Mass and of Mattie's life will be held immediately following visitation, then burial at Olive Branch Cemetery (City Park), Portsmouth, VA.

The Matteson and Foster families would like to extend a special thank you and appreciation to Ms. Marcia Holt and all other caregivers that assisted our Dad and Papa during a difficult time. Donations in the memory of Mattie can be made to EVMS Strelitz Diabetes Center, 855 W. Brambleton Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23510 or to the Church of the Resurrection. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.