Michael Allan Mattia

October 3, 1948 - January 9, 2017

Michael Allan Mattia, "Big Daddy", age 68, of Locust NC, went to be with his Lord January 9, 2017, at the Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Michael was born in Newark, New Jersey, on October 3, 1948, the son of Ralph and Lillian Mattia. While he enjoyed many things in life, he was most proud of his service to our country during the Vietnam War and spending time with his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Deborah; their children: Jeremy Aaron Mattia, Jake Garmon, and Brittany Garmon; 5 grandchildren; his sister, Janet Robinson Mattia; a host of loving brothers and sisters from the VNVMC B Chapter; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Michael's family has given the privilege of caring for them to the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105. A service to celebrate the life, love and blessing of Michael will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 15. Friends may call upon the family at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of service. In honor of his faithful service in the USMC to his country and to all of us, he will be interred with full military honors at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, at the Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. In honor of Michael, please direct memorials in his name to any of the following: Wounded Warriors, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org Disabled Veterans, https://www.dav.org Toys for Tots http://www.toysfortots.org/default.aspx