Arnold Mattei Sr., contractor, developer
Arnold Mattei Sr., 87, of Chadds Ford, Pa. passed away surrounded by his loving family Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011.
Born Sept. 19,1924, in Wilmington, Arnold Mattei Sr. lived his entire life in the Wilmington area. A successful building contractor and developer, he was in business for over 65 years and developed, owned, and operated numerous enterprises throughout his career.
Among those businesses are Bowlerama on New Castle Avenue and the Quality Inn Skyways at the Wilmington Airport. Other projects include the Pennsville Shopping Center and Penn Terrace Apartments in Pennsville, N.J., The Society Hill Apartments (including Presidential Towers, Society Office Complex, and Society 4000 Condominiums) on Naamans Road in Claymont, Harmony Business Park in Newark, Southgate industrial Center in New Castle, and many other large flex warehouse buildings in the Pencader Corporate center in Glasgow. His resumé further includes a long list of construction projects which were built for clients including: Happy Harry's main headquarters, Miller Brother's Furniture, J.E. Rhoads Company, Crowell Manufacturing, Action Drugs, Delaware Beverage, Wilmington Sheet Metal, B.F. Rich, United Parcel, Eckerd Drugs, Globe Electric Company, D&S Warehousing, and too many others to mention.
He had begun working with his father, Leonello, at a very early age, making steps for many homes throughout Wilmington, and then progressed from that to doing large concrete projects on his own at the Wilmington Merchandise Mart, Brookview, Kynlyn, and Clifton Park Apartments. In addition, his many accomplishments included the building of homes in Brookside Park II, Liftwood Estates, and a number of custom homes for clients. Although most of his endeavors were in and around the Wilmington area, he occasionally branched out, and at one point in the 90s built 424 apartment units in Pleasantville, N.J. Throughout his time in business, his enthusiasm for his work and his non-stop drive to produce served him well.
In addition to his love of work, he enjoyed many years spent at his summer home in Wildwood Crest, N.J. and numerous homes in Florida. He had most recently resided for a part of each year in Fort Myers, Fla. One of his other great interests was the professional sports teams in Philadelphia where he maintained season tickets over the years to the Phillies, 76ers, and Eagles (since 1949). Travel (especially to his favorite destination, Italy), good food, music, movies, and his beloved family rounded out a very full, rich and active life.
Arnold was predeceased by his parents, Leonello and Dolores Mattei, who had immigrated to America from the Tuscan region of Italy. He is survived by his devoted wife of 16 years, Nancy; eight children, Anita Olsen (wife of Thomas Olsen), Jean White, Arnold Jr., Mark, Robert, Rosann, James, and Andrea (wife of James Hallihan); 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Alice Burke; and Nancy's son, William Veasey. He is predeceased by his first wife, Rose (Terranova) Mattei; sisters, Edith Page, Eisa Allegro, and Rose Foster. Arnold is further survived by his sister, Esther Panaro (Carmen); brother, Arthur Mattei; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 9th and DuPont sts., Wilmington, from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27. Burial will be held privately. No visitation will be held on Tuesday morning prior to Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your preferred charity in the memory of Arnold Mattei Sr. Arrangements by Charles P. Arcaro Funeral Home.
