By Josh Resnek
Michael Matarazzo, one of Everett’s best known and best liked former public officials, died suddenly last Thursday.
He was 68.
Mike “Marty” Matarazzo
Mr. Matarazzo’s death was made all the more difficult and impossible to deal with for his family and friends because it occurred so close to the recent death of his son, Michael in April at the age of 36.
Mr. Matarazzo was devastated and he was thrown into a state of deep despair by his son’s death – as was his entire family.
It is very likely that “Marty” as he was lovingly known, died of a broken heart.
Mike Matarazzo as city clerk was among the most widely known and respected public servants in Everett’s modern his- tory. He cast a substantial presence in the clerk’s office during his 11 year tenure as city clerk.
Mr. Matarazzo was a good looking man with a great smile and a hearty laugh and a good sense of humor. He was a major league character in the life and times of the city of Everett. He knew of what he spoke at all times. Residents with needs were always drawn to him – and he never disappointed them.
He was an honest, hard-working, intelligent public official at city hall as clerk and as a member of the former Board of Aldermen many years before.
Mr. Matarzzo was born in Somerville. The family moved to Baldwin Avenue in Everett when he was ten years old – and thus began a lifelong love affair with this city’s people and its rich history which was largely overlooked and uncollated until he historiographised it into two fabulous publications which he authored – and which represent about the sum total of Everett’s extant history today.
Mr. Matarazzo has often been referred to as Everett’s unofficial historian.
He was not an unofficial historian at all. He was this city’s embodiment of its neglected and overlooked history and a substantial, studied voice as its de facto official historian.
Mr. Matarazzo single handedly gave substance to this city’s history so that it might be handed down through the ages. He called himself a history nut. History nut, indeed. He preserved, gathered, wrote about and published the two most important volumes of history ever written about the City of Everett.
Mr. Matarazzo had a deep love and ability to create and to perform music. At heart, he was a musician and entertainer. In fact, he spent decades as an entertainer. He was, without question, Everett’s most sought after and appreciated MC.
His music will also last the test of time. One of his bands, The Christopher Michael Band, and their song “You Make Me Happy” has been featured on a CD titled Boston Goes Disco.” A second song “”only Takes A Little While,” is being considered for inclusion on a CD of lost songs of the 70’s.
As a lover of politics, he was employed on their staffs by former Governors William Weld and Paul Cellucci.
For several years, he worked as a real estate broker with JRS Properties in Everett Square.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to help establish a scholarship fund in Michael’s name. Donations can be sent to Everett High School, Attn. Linda Maloney, 100 Elm Street, Everett, MA 02149. Checks should be made payable to the “EHS Scholarship Fund” with a notation on the memo line “Michael Matarazzo Scholarship.”