Gennaro “Gene” Matera, 90, of Englewood Cliffs, NJ passed peacefully at home on Sunday, April 21, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born in Luzzano, Italy on November 6, 1933 to Nicola and Cristina (née Iodice) Matera. In December 1953, he boarded a propeller plane, landed in America, a country he adopted and loved, and never looked back.

In September 1954 he met his future wife, Angela (née Forcellati) at night school and soon professed his love for her. They were married in 1958 and have since been true partners committed to family, community, the Catholic Church and each other.

Absent any formal education or training, Gene was a naturally gifted master of landscape and design. In 1954, along with his father and brothers, he founded N. Matera & Sons in Ridgefield, NJ. His professional legacy will live on through Village Green Landscaping, the landscape business, nursery and farm that he founded in 2011 with his protégé, long-term partner and dear friend Angel Roca. Gene will forever be remembered for his 70 years of contributions beautifying innumerable residential and commercial spaces throughout the Tristate Area. His deep-seeded calling, innate love and passion for all greenery, flowers and natural design were imbued to all who knew him, friends and clients alike.

Gene was a parishioner at Holy Trinity RC Church in Fort Lee, NJ for 58 years. He was a founding member and the treasurer of the Italian American Association, UNITI of Englewood Cliffs.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, his younger twin sisters Pasqualina Gramuglia (née Matera) and Maria Venezia (née Matera) and his younger brother Biagio Matera. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angela, of 66 years; his cherished daughters Cristina Matera, MD; Caterina Scancarella and her husband John; and Gina Matera Banoun and her husband Gary; his five adoring grandchildren, Alessandra Abouzahr; Brittany (née Scancarella) Ela and her husband Miles; Joseph Scancarella; Erika Matera Banoun; and Maxymilian Matera Banoun; his three great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Winifred, and Henry Ela; his brother Joseph Matera; brother-in-law Rocco Venezia; sister-in-law Carol Matera (née Konovitch); as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Gene embraced life and looked forward to each productive day. As much as he reveled in nature, he loved his family most of all. Resolutely genuine, loyal and devoted, Gene was loved and admired by everyone who was fortunate to know him. A driven and committed man, he was truly one-of-a-kind.

Visitation is Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Frank Patti Funeral Home, 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held in Gene’s honor Thursday at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity RC Church in Fort Lee, NJ. Entombment to follow at Madonna Mausoleum in Fort Lee.

Gene’s family requests that no flowers be sent. Instead, please plant an everlasting tree in Gene’s memory or donate to The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association.  https://4hcm.org/donate/

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