On the 28th day, November 2018, Thomas Joseph Matthews Jr. of Rolesville, North Carolina, peacefully passed away at the age of 76.

Thomas was born in 1942, in Newark, New Jersey, to Thomas and Frances (Francosky) Matthews. As a young man, he attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ and then went on to graduate from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ in 1964. After attending St. Peter’s, Thomas honorably served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army (1964-1970). His service included a two year assignment in Germany where he was a combat engineer and unit commander.

He married the love of his life, Sharon Hynes, at St. Dorothea’s in Eatontown, New Jersey in 1968. On September 21, 2018, Sharon and Thomas celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. Thomas and Sharon lovingly raised their three children, Tim, Sean, and Katie. Thomas was an honest and sincere man that lived for his family. He was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus.

Thomas worked as a systems engineer for IBM for 30 years during which he was transferred to North Carolina in 1988. After his retirement from IBM he worked for the central office at Wake County Public School System and thoroughly enjoyed his time there. Thomas enjoyed fishing, golfing, and spending time with his granddaughter, Zoey. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Indians. Thomas is survived by his wife, Sharon Matthews; his sons, Timothy Matthews of Rolesville, NC and Sean Matthews of Willow Spring, NC; his daughter, Katie Elder (Eric) of Monroe, NC; granddaughter, Zoey Noelle; and his niece, Margaret Mary Norton. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Thomas and Frances Matthews, and his brother, Edward John Matthews.

After the burial, the family welcomes friends to join them for lunch at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Thomas to the American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org, 8300 Health Park, Suite10, Raleigh, NC 27615