John R. Matyskiel

July 25, 1927-September 7, 2016

Son of John Ignatius Matyskiel and Victoria (Piasecki) Matyskiel, he was born in Wilkes Barre, PA. The family moved to Newark, NJ. In 1944 he graduated from St. Michaels and enlisted in the NJ National Guard in 1945 where he spent eight years in active service. At this time he was trained by a pioneer in the field of orthodontics, Dr. Ralph Waldron, DDS. He went on to open his own orthodontic laboratory and taught laboratory technique in the graduate program to dentists specializing in orthodontics at New Jersey College of Medicine & Dentistry (Seton Hall) and also at Union County College.

He met his future wife in 1951 as a result of an American Chemical Society Dance at Seton Hall, and as he put it, “I spent the next two years at St. Elizabeth’s College.” They were engaged at graduation in 1953.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Egnor Matyskiel. They were married in St. Juliana’s Church in WPB, FL, July 2, 1955.Children: John R. Matyskiel, Marian Matyskiel Shulha (Michael) and Robert E. Matyskiel (Lori) and four grandchildren: Cortney Shulha Coleman (Jarett), Travis Shulha, Kaitlin Matyskiel, and Robert Matyskiel. Two sisters, Dorothy Palumbo, Dolores Redmond, and brother, Leonard Matiskiel and numerous nieces and nephews.

They lived in Pine Brook, New Jersey, Montville Township in the country. They physically built their own home. John became politically involved and raised three children.

Political career: before there was Bush v. Gore, there was Matyskiel v. Witty, 1962. A decision reached after many court challenges was winner, Matyskiel by one vote. He was sworn in as a Committeeman in Montville Township on New Year’s Day, 1963. John went on to become Garbage Commissioner, Lighting Commissioner, and Police Commissioner. He moved the family to West Palm Beach, FL in 1976 and built another home with his son Robert. His natural propensity for handing fine metals led him into the jewelry field where he found his natural creativity and eventual retirement. The family enjoyed camping, which they did every long weekend and during vacations, traveling the whole eastern seaboard and throughout the Midwest.

A Catholic stalwart, John was a member of the Knights of Columbus over 40 years. In 2014, along with his son and grandson, he was a Charter Member of the St. Luke Knights of Columbus, Council 16018. In August, he received the fourth degree with his son Robert, and grandson, Robert II. Founding member and usher at St. Pius X Church in Montville, NJ, 1960-1976. He was an usher from 1976-2016 at St. Luke Church, Lake Worth, FL. He was involved in school and parish activities in both churches, as well as Morris Catholic High School in NJ and Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach.

Friends will be received from 5:00PM to 8:00PM on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33417. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 1:00PM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 2892 S. Congress Avenue, Palm Springs, FL 33461, followed by interment at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery.