Treasured his cross-country trip with high school friends

Published in the October 10, 2018 edition

WAKEFIELD — Matthew Joseph DiStasio, 56, of Wakefield, formerly of Medford, died Sunday, October 7, 2018 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Somerville on June 21, 1962 he was the son of the late Raymond DiStasio and Rosemary (Costa) DiStasio Nigro.

Matt grew up in West Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School. He cultivated lifelong friendships with his high school buddies and they often traveled together; most memorable being a cross country trip to California. In his early career, Matt worked in Boston in banking before transitioning to sales, working at both Jordan’s Furniture and Bernie & Phil’s. Most recently, at the age of 53, he had gone back to school and achieved a certificate in medical coding, which he believed to be his true vocational calling. Though interest motivated his career change, his desire to make his family proud was the driving force.

Matt’s most cherished role was as a husband and a father. Throughout life’s challenges, Matt always made everyone else feel like they were the most important person in the room. He supported his wife throughout her own battle with breast cancer and was her champion throughout treatment and was a caregiver to his mother during her final days. As a father, Matt loved spending time with his children, whether it was summers in the White Mountains or in the kitchen cooking favorite dishes for all to enjoy. Even as he battled cancer, Matt insisted he was “the luckiest man in the world” for the wife and children he was blessed with in his life.

He was the beloved husband of Bonnie S. (Lovatt). He was the loving father of Gina M. and Anthony R. DiStasio, both of Wakefield. He was the brother of Theresa Maggiore and her husband Joseph of Medford, Raymond DiStasio of Ogunquit, Maine and Paul DiStasio and his wife Lisa of Danvers. He was the brother-in-law of John Lovatt and his wife Susan Tropeano of Danvers and James Lovatt and his wife Corinne Cothern of Beverly. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-father, Arthur Nigro.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. His funeral service will be private.