George Joseph Matranga

ISSOULAâ�,��**– George Joseph Matranga, 87, died peacefully in his home in Missoula on Sunday, March 10, 2013, surrounded by his wife and family. George died of complications from cardiovascular disease. He was able to return home to die, thanks to the support of hospice services and family members.

George was born May 14, 1925, in Chicago to his mother Nunzia "Nellie" DeCarlo Matranga and father Giacamo "Jack" Matranga. He was predeceased by his mother when George was 9 years old and his father when George was 55. He is survived by his sister, Marie Rushin of Riverside, Calif.

In high school, George was an avid swimmer and won medals as a diver. He left high school in order to serve in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He did not typically consider himself a veteran although he survived one ship being torpedoed and another that almost sank for other reasons. After the war, George completed high school and a couple of years of college. He then worked in marketing research for more than 20 years.

In 1975-76, George lived in an Episcopalian monastery in Oregon and California for a year before joining his youngest son Jeff in Missoula, where George met the love of his life, Betty Anderson Matranga. They dated for 10 years and were married for 25 years before his death. George's second career was as a small-business owner, running a laundromat in Missoula. George and Betty loved fishing and playing cards with friends.

George is survived by three biological children, Jack, Susan and Jeff Matranga. He also is survived by his beloved stepchildren, David Anderson, Barbara Leighton, Steve Anderson, Jim Anderson, Sally Anderson, John Anderson and Christina Anderson Bauer. He was predeceased by stepson, Bob Anderson.

George requested no services, but simply asked that his and Betty's home be open for loved ones to pay their respects by visiting as they see fit (please call first).

To George

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

I love you in the morning

When you're grunting and you're groaning,

And when you're feeling sickly and you're

Fussing and you're moaning!

I love you in the evening

And all the long night thru.

But most of all "I love you"

Just because you're you!

I love you when you're building stuff,

Altho' I hope you're done.

When I count up all my blessings

You come up as No. 1 ...

Thanks for all your thoughtfulness

It makes me feel so loved.

So, I pray the fullness of Gods' love

Will pour down from above!

– By his beloved Betty (Anderson) Matranga
Read George Matranga's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.