Final Salute

Joseph Matsago, 68, of Tamaqua, died on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Bethlehem. He was the husband of Annette Nowacki.

Born in Coaldale on Oct. 16, 1954, Joseph was a son of the late Joseph C. and Julia Helen (Alexander) Matsago. He was a 1972 graduate of Tamaqua High School and served in the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1973-1979.

Joseph was employed by St. Luke’s Hospital – Miner’s Campus in the maintenance department.

He was a member of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill; the Catholic War Veterans; and the Tamaqua American Legion C.H. Berry Post #173, where he served as a member of the legion’s honor guard.

In addition to his wife, Annette, Joseph is survived by a son, Dylan Matsago of Tampa, FL; daughter, Janelle Brown and her husband, Daniel, of Tewksbury, MA; sisters, Joanne Noll and her husband, Les, of Myerstown, PA, and Connie Andescavage and her husband, Andy, of New Cumberland, PA; brothers, Michael Matsago and his wife, Ann, of South Tamaqua, and Danny Matsago and his wife, Rosella, of Tuscarora.

In addition to his mother and father, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Margaret Mary (Belsak) Matsago, who raised him.

Services: A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, with the Rev. Robert George officiating. Interment in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown will follow the services. Call from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tamaqua Legion Honor Guard, c/o the Tamaqua Legion, 206 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.

Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.c