Matthew Francis Zarrilli, known to those who loved him as Matt, was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend whose life touched so many people. A longtime resident of Wilmington, Delaware, Matt, age 62, passed away on October 29, 2026, following a tragic fall and a short illness. Matt was the youngest son ofContinue Reading
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Matthew Francis Zarrilli, known to those who loved him as Matt, was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend whose life touched so many people. A longtime resident of Wilmington, Delaware, Matt, age 62, passed away on October 29, 2026, following a tragic fall and a short illness.
Matt was the youngest son of the late Anthony and Florence (nee Wyatt) Zarrilli. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Zarrilli.
He is survived by his loving husband, Thomas Houghtalin; his brother, Thomas P. Zarrilli (Amy); his sisters, Claire M. Kleckner (Roy) and Donna M. Gola (Michael); his niece, Emily Durant (Rock); his nephews, Michael John Gola, Timothy Gola (Ali), Matthew Kleckner, Stephen Kleckner, and Daniel Kleckner; and his godson, Andrew Zarrilli (Luann).
Matt also leaves behind his lifelong friends Bill Clark, Maureen Egan, and Dan Foran, as well as his best friends and sparring partners, Maureen Zito, Nicole Davis, and Trish Yoroshko.
He will be deeply missed by his friends from his beloved Penn State University, Echo Valley, his colleagues at AstraZeneca, and the many friends he made in his chosen home of Trolley Square and the Forty Acres neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware.
Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Matt’s life on Friday, November 6. His viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by his longtime friend, Father Matveenko, at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Interment will take place in the family plot at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in a private ceremony later in November.
Matt generously donated his corneas upon his death to help others. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a single tissue donor can improve the lives of more than 100 people.
In keeping with Matt’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate contributions in his memory to the Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. www.donors1.org/give
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