Dr. Michael Louis Matteo M.D.

   Other names for Michael were 'doc' and Mike.

  General Notes:

DR. MICHAEL LEWIS MATTEO HISTORY
Born April 9, 1911, Wickliffe, Ohio to Mary Muscara and Pasquale Matteo, his parents having migrated from Italy to the United States, met, married and settled in Wickliffe, building their home at 1537 Robindale, where their son Michael spent his entire youth, graduating from a class of twelve in 1928 from Wickliffe High School. He participated in both basketball and track while in high school playing baseball with the town team "The Wickliffe Merchants" from 1927 to 1934. Upon graduating, Dr. Mike found it necessary to secure employment to further his education and his dream of becoming a doctor, using the money he earned to help with his expenses at Adelbert College, of Western Reserve University, where he participated in football and golf, winning letters in both, and securing the title of Intramural Boxing Champion for the 140-pound weight class, then moving on to St. Louis University Medical School, graduating in 1937. He spent his internship at Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio, opening his first practice in 1938, which was located at East 149th Street and St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland.
Dr. Mike, responding to the times, joined the Army Medical Reserve as a First Lieutenant. In December of 1940, he was called to active duty with the United States Army serving as a Medical Officer with the 118th Infantry, 30th Division out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served in Iceland, England, France, Ireland and Germany. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1944, he married Hilda French Pugh. He inherited a son Douglas Pugh.
With his return to civilian life, he pursued the position of Resident Surgeon at Women's Hospital, soon thereafter opening his new office at 29215 Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe, which he still maintains on a full-time basis. Soon after relocating his office to Wickliffe, he accepted the position of Sports Physician for the Wickliffe City Schools, accepting no compensation for the position, and held this position for a period of twenty-five years. He also served as physician for the Wickliffe Police and Fire Departments.
Dr. Mike served as a member of the School Board for ten years, during which he helped realize the building of Worden and Mapledale Elementary Schools and Wickliffe High School. The Wickliffe Jaycees presented him with their Distinguished Service Award for 1970.
Dr. Matteo also served as a Charter member of the Rotary Club, Fraternal Order of Police, The American Legion and Pine Ridge Country Club. He also is a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the Wickliffe Chamber of Commerce, and a 35 year member of the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. Dr. Matteo helped in formulating "The Blue Coats of Lake County" which gives aid to wives and children of police and firemen killed in the line of duty.
The preceding extracted in part from the Michael L. Matteo Day program.

  Death Notes:

Died at Heartland of Mentor (nursing home)

  Burial Notes:

All Souls Cemetery, sec 18, lot 229, grave 2. Holy Card in possession of Regina Rice, viewed 20 Feb 2001.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Graduation: Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Western Reserve University

• Census: U.S. Population, 21 Jan 1920, Wickliffe, Lake, Ohio. ³⁵ Matteo, Mike, son, w, 8, s, attend school, born in Ohio, parents born in Italy

• Census: U.S. Population, 14 Apr 1930, Wickliffe, Lake, Ohio. ⁹¹² Matteo, Michael, son, m, w, 19, s, born in Ohio, parents born in Italy, at school

• Graduation, 1937, St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis University, School Of Medical

• Honors, 14 Jun 1981, Wickliffe, Lake, Ohio. Dr. Michael Lewis Matteo Day - Parade, Picnic, and Recognition Dinner

Michael married Hilda French in London, England. (Hilda French was born 20 Apr 1909 in Londonerry, North Ireland,⁹³⁰ died 9 Nov 2000 in Willoughby, Lake, Ohio and was buried 13 Nov 2000 in Chardon, Geauga, Ohio ⁹³¹.)