Paul James Matranga

August 16, 1924 – April 03, 2019

On April 03, 2019 our loving Father was call back to his heavenly, everlasting home. In his final days and last moments on earth he was surrounds by family. Right before our Father’s passing his granddaughter had a vision of Dad at the gates of heaven and he was hesitant to go in. She said Pawpaw kept saying “wait a minute I have a few questions” she told our sister Vicky who told Dad “once you crossed over all your questions will be answered”. At that point our beloved 94 year old father crossed over to his heavenly, everlasting home.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Paul James Matranga Sr. was born one of eleven children to George Joseph Matranga and Annie Paratore Matranga, in Houston, August 16, 1924. He was immersed in the Catholic community of Holy Name Catholic Church. After graduating from Jeff Davis High School in 1942 he started working for Southern Pacific Railroad before enlisting into the Navy where he served on the U.S.S. New Jersey (BB62) where he fought in 12 major battles during World War II. On one of his leaves home my Uncle Phillip introduced him to my mother. She told us that she fell in love with him the first time she saw him. After his tour of duty he went to work for Shell Oil Company at their Bellaire, Texas Research Center as a Master Machinist. He retired from Shell at the age of 62.

He was a great man; he welcomed our friends into our home as if they were his own children. He would invite our friends on camping trips to Garner State Park. He opened up his amazing garage full of tools to our friends and helped them repair their cars. He was always willing to help teach you the right way to fix anything.

He and our mother Marcella Berger Matranga were married on May 31 1951 at Holy Name Catholic Church.

He was an active member of Saint Michel Catholic Church where he sang in the church choir. My father and his brother and sisters were well known throughout the Houston and Galveston area for their singing. For year he sang at the Houston Italian Festival, the Blessing of the Shrimp Boats Festival in Galveston and Italian weddings across the Houston area. We will miss so many things about our father, but we have so many more great memories to smile about. Our mother has lost her best friend of 77 years and her husband of almost 68 years.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Joseph and Annie Matranga, his brother and sisters, Marie (Matranga) Palermo, Joseph Matranga, Maude (Matranga) Palermo, Frances (Matranga) Mustachia, Phillip Matranga, Theresa (Matranga) Sagan, and Robert Matranga.

He is survived by his wife Marcella Matranga, children Victoria (Matranga) Finlan, Kathleen (Matranga) Cowart, Paul Matranga Jr., Mark Matranga and seven grandchildren, two great grandchild, his sisters and brother, Margaret Apffel, Anthony Matranga and Georgia Ann Ethridge Muniz and numerous nieces and nephews. His strong hands and loving heart will be missed by all that knew him.

Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am on Thursday April 25, 2019 at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church located at 3600 Brinkman Street, Houston, Texas 77018. A reception will be held at the church hall after the services. Cemetery Services will be held properly at 2:00 pm on Friday April 26, 2019 at the United States National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77038. Those attending the Cemetery Services on the 26th will need to be at the National Cemetery properly at 1:45 pm and lined up in Drive No. 1.