James M. Matarazzo

James Michael “Jim” Matarazzo, age 77, of Winthrop, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was born on January 4, 1941 in Stoneham, MA to the late Angelo Michael and Anna (Finamore) Matarazzo. He lived in East Boston until the age of 5 when his family moved to Winthrop into a house his father built. He attended Winthrop High School, Class of 1959, and then attended Boston College. He earned two masters degrees at Boston College and Simmons College. He was awarded his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

On September 3, 1966, he married Alice Marie Keohane. A prominent academic with a global reputation, he initially worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1965-1969). He then taught at the School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, for 49 years, where he was a Professor and later Dean (1994-2002). Upon retirement as Dean, he was awarded the status of Dean and Professor Emeritus and continued to teach and publish until just before he died. He published twelve books and numerous articles. He was also Vice-President and Board Secretary of the H.W. Wilson Foundation in New York. He was a visiting professor at Wayne State University, the University of Washington, the University of Arizona, and Texas Womens’ University. He received many professional awards and fellowships in his long academic career and delivered presentations and lectures worldwide. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father, dedicated to his family and his community, and loved by his many friends, students, and colleagues across the world.

He is survived by his wife Alice of 51 years; his son the Rev. Dr. James M Matarazzo, Jr., of Oxford, England; his daughter Mrs. Susan Eileen Abrego and his son-in-law Dr. José Antonio Abrego, of Lynnfield, MA; his granddaughter Katherine Sophia Abrego; his brother Ronald Matarazzo, of Winthrop; his sister Marie Matarazzo, of Winthrop;  as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Michael Kenneth Matarazzo (1943-2010).

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the funeral home on Friday, April 20, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow the mass in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Jim’s name to the School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115  (www.simmons.edu) or to the Winthrop Public Library, 2 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 (http://www.winthroppubliclibrary.org/).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James M. Matarazzo, please visit our floral store.