Colonel Matthew G.M. Masnik, 66 of Hopedale passed away peacefully on Thursday July 1, 2021 in his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous struggle with prostate cancer. Matthew was the husband of Jean A. (Cicalese) Masnik for 44 years. Matthew was born on September 22, 1954 in Przemysl, Poland, son of the late Stefan and Stanislawa (Kowalski) Masnik. He is predeceased by his three sisters, Natalia Lanzara, Angie and Barbara Masnik.
He was a graduate of East Side Highs School in Newark, NJ where he ran on the track team. Later he attended Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business, Economics, and Accounting. In 1976 he graduated from St. Peters R.O.T.C. He then attended the U. S. Army command and General Staff College earning a Master of Science in Strategic Management in addition to Webster University, where he earned a Master of Arts in Management and Human Relations in 1981. Matthew served his county for 38 years in the United States Army during active duty and reserves. He retired in 2006 as a Full Bird Colonel and received numerous awards and commendations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon. After his active time in the U.S. Army he worked at Intel, formerly Digital Equipment Corporation for over 35 years where he was a Senior Supervisor and Facility Operations Manager, Material Services Manager, Information Technology District Manager and USA/Latin America PC Manager. In 1992, Matthew received a U.S. Patent for the invention of the “Safety Enclosure for Gas Line Fittings”.
Matthew was a loving and generous father, husband, and grandfather. His most prized possessions were his children and grandchildren. He was an avid casino goer and coin collector. He enjoyed a good New Jersey style hot dog and growing the perfect tomato in his garden. Matthew loved going on cruises and traveling in the U.S. and abroad. He was very active within his community and known as the ‘recycling man’ where he would recycle cans and bottles and donate his earnings back to local charities such as the Boy Scouts and Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale. For many years, he was a solicitor for the Bishops Fund. Matthew assisted with the continuation of the local Memorial Day Parade-ensuring that our local veterans continued to be honored and not forgotten and with volunteering his time to the Day in the Park.
Matthew leaves behind his loving wife and high school sweetheart of 44 years, Jean (Cicalese); his three daughters, Jennifer Bergstrom and her husband Shawn of Spencer, MA; Antoinette Foster and her husband Jeffrey of Shrewsbury, MA and Theresa Masnik and her wife Dr. Sarah Masnik of Murfreesboro, TN; three grandchildren, Luke Bergstrom, Caroline Masnik, and Henry Masnik. Several nieces and nephews and his sister-in-law Josephine Spagnuolo and her husband Salvatore of Branchville, NJ.
The family would like to thank, Brookhaven Hospice, Dr Sunkara and the staff at Dana Farber, his mentor Robert Guyon, and all of those who touched his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prostate Cancer research. Prostate Cancer Foundation 1250 Fourth Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 Tax ID #95-4418411
As requested by Matthew, services will be private and are under the direction of Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home.