BESSEMER - Mathew J. Frello, 83, of Bessemer, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, at home.
He was born on Jan. 4, 1931, in Bessemer, son of the late John and Victoria (Pertile) Frello.
Mathew attended Barber School and A. D. Johnston High School. He was a lifelong Bessemer resident.
On April 30, 1955, he was united in marriage with Esia Profili at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. She preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2006.
Matt was a lifelong member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church. He was employed for the city of Bessemer for 36 years until his retirement in 1992. He was a past member of the Bessemer school board and had served on the Bessemer city council for 12 years. Matt coached all his sons in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
Mathew was always there for anyone in need, but his family was always most important. He took pride in his big garden and every year he would have a "friendly competition" with his friends. Any type of work that needed to be done, he could do, from plastering to plumbing. He did many side jobs for numerous people. He was loved and respected by many and his smile will be missed by all. Even though he was a blessing to those of us left behind, he is now reunited with his love, his wife Esia.
He is survived by three sons, John (Donna), Bessemer, Robert, Lino Lakes, Minn., and Dennis (Jackie), Bessemer; one daughter, Annette (Ken) Lillie, Bessemer; 13 grandchildren, John Frello, Jr., Brandon Merrill, Mathew (Samantha) Merrill, Scarlett and Savannah Merrill, Nicolas and Annalise Frello, Claire, Jessica, and Tommy Lenard, Jessica Frello and Francesca and Amber Lillie; two sisters, Jennie Ciesielczyk and Barbara Peterson, both of Bessemer; and his best friend, his dog, Buddy.
In addition to his wife and parents, Matt was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Jackovich.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. Father Antony Lukka will be the celebrant. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. Pallbearers will be Brian and Alan Ciesielczyk, John Frello, Jr., Mathew Merrill, Sisto and Oscar Buselli, Tom Rogers and Jim Jackovich.
Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home in Bessemer.