Matthew John Zoppetti, 80, of Bloomsburg died peacefully at his home on Monday, August 2, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his treasured and loving family. He was born Tuesday, October 1, 1929, in Manor, PA, the son of the late Matthew John Zoppetti and Antoinette Paroli Zoppetti.
After graduating from the California High School in California, PA in 1947 Matthew attended The Julliard School in New York City to study piano. He was later drafted into the US Army to serve in the Korean Conflict. His assignment led him to Paris, where he worked at SHAPE (Strategic Headquarters of the Allied Personnel in Europe). Matthew graduated from California University of PA in 1956, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He began his teaching career in Manor PA and later taught Industrial Arts for ten years in California PA. Matthew received a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1961 and a Secondary Education Principal's Certificate in 1962. He then went to the University of Maryland and joined the Faculty Development Program in Industrial Arts where Dr. Zoppetti earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1970. Dr. Zoppetti, his wife and five children moved to Bloomsburg after he was offered a job as a faculty member in the Curriculum and Instruction Department of Bloomsburg University. Dr. Zoppetti retired seventeen years later. He will be well-remembered by his student teachers for giving them an early taste of technology during his Educational Media classes. He continued his passion and interest in technology as he filmed and archived family videos making DVD files for each of his children.
Dr. Zoppetti enjoyed watching old/classic movies with his family, organic gardening, playing the piano, attending Bible Study classes at his parish of St. Columba, and traveling to many states to visit his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time with his extended family and friends, especially during holidays and family celebrations, where he faithfully passed on beautiful traditions to future generations.

He is survived by his wife of almost fifty-six years, Margot Gazdick Zoppetti also from western PA. They were married on November 25, 1954. He is also survived by his five children: Bernadette Zoppetti of Pickeringtron OH; Regina Hoover and her husband, Alan, of Sugar Land TX; Valerie Hidlay and her husband, William C. III (Skip) of Wichita KS; Rachelle D'Ambrosio and her husband, Sante, Jr., of Bloomsburg; and Matthew J. Zoppetti, Jr. and wife, Roxana and her children Brittany and Patrick of Bloomsburg. Also surviving are his grandchildren who fondly called him "Grampsie": Sarah Harris (Andy). Joseph Shamis (Aysel), Alan Hoover, Jr., Lara Hoover, William C. Hidlay IV (Marlena), Travis Hidlay (Rachel Fannick), Gregory Hidlay, Nicholas Hidlay, Paige Hidlay, Domenic D'Ambrosio, Olivia D'Ambrosio, Peter D'Ambrosio, Matthew J. Zoppetti IV, Michael Zoppetti, baby Juliana Zoppetti is coming into the world any day. Also surviving are three great grandchildren: Mia Harris, Luke Harris and Addison Hidlay. Grampsie was especially proud of how the family grew in numbers, thus stating that "family is the true wealth in life."
He is also survived by his youngest brother, Robert, and his wife, Irene of California PA, sister-in-law Joan, wife of deceased brother, Frank, brother-in-law, Steve Gazdick and his wife, Joyce, brother-in-law Joseph Gazdick and his wife, Cathy, and other relatives, many of western PA. Additionally, Matthew Shamis of Pickerington OH and Danna Bingham of Lewistown PA survive. Matthew enjoyed spending time with his extended family, especially during holidays and family celebrations, where he was happy to pass on beautiful traditions to future generations.
The Zoppetti family will receive friends Thursday, August 5, from 6 to 8 pm at the Allen Funeral Home, 745 Market at Eighth St., Bloomsburg and on Friday, August 6, from 9 to 10 am at St. Columba Catholic Church, Third and Iron Streets. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Columba Catholic Church, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday with his pastor, Rev. Paul R. Fisher, as celebrant and Rev. Joseph H. Fennessey as con-celebrant . Following the mass, interment will be in the Catholic Section of New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. Memorial contributions may be sent to Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 435 Glenn Ave. Suite 200, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 and/or St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron St., Bloomsburg. For those unable to personally attend, online condolences and memorials may be found at Allen-FuneralHome.com.