Charles Matts

RALEIGH, NC - Charles “Chuck” Matts, age 88, of Erie died Thursday, November 25th in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He was born in Erie on May 31,1933, son of the late Carl V. Matts and Dorothy Brundage Matts.

Chuck graduated from Millcreek High School in 1951 and Penn State University in 1956 with a degree in Architectural Engineering. After graduation, he joined the Navy and served in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps. Together with Denny Schick, he founded general contractor Schick Matts Corporation in 1977. Among their most recognizable projects are the Erie Maritime Museum, Raymond M. Blasco, M.D. Memorial Library, Penn State Erie’s Behrend Campus Library and the Student Union Building at Mercyhurst University.

Chuck was an avid boater and was a member of the Erie Yacht Club for over 60 years. He actively participated in the Erie Power Squadron and navigated many trips on the Great Lakes with his late wife, Ellie, and sister, Barbara serving as members of his crew.

He was a dedicated Penn State fan and enjoyed many seasons of football games. He was also a member of the Penn State Nittany Lion Club and Mount Nittany Society. In 2006, he was honored to receive the Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award.

He was a longtime parishioner at St. Jude’s Catholic Church and joined the Order of the Knights of Columbus in 2012.

Chuck planned to live at St. Mary’s Asbury Ridge in Erie for the rest of his life, but the pandemic upended that plan. He came to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a “couple of weeks” in March 2020 then ended up permanently relocating to North Carolina in September 2020. This time together with his daughter’s family, especially his beloved grandchildren, was an unexpected blessing during a difficult time.

Chuck was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Ellie. He is survived by a son, Steven E. Matts (Anna) of Woodbridge, Va.; a daughter Susan M. Sept (Doug) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; four grandchildren: Corriene, Connor, Audrey and Margaret; sister Barbara Kolstee of Lima, N.Y. and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Church will be held on Tuesday, December 28th at 2 p.m. with Fr. John Detisch presiding. Inurnment will be at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507, eriecommunityfoundation.org.

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