Matthew Guerra

Matthew Guerra, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 13th at the age of 73. Born in Jersey City on July 1, 1952, to the late Patrick and Ann Guerra, Matthew was a man defined by his work ethic, his technical brilliance, and his unwavering commitment to his family and community. He was a proud graduate of Hudson Catholic High School and attended New Jersey City University (NJCU).

For many years, Matthew was a fixture of local industry as the owner and operator of Mattco Alarms. A Master Electrician by trade, he took immense pride in his craftsmanship and the safety he provided to his clients. He later transitioned into public service, serving with distinction as the Superintendent of the Police and Fire Signal Division for the City of Bayonne until his retirement. He was also a former founding owner of Kapps Bar and Grill. After raising his family in Bayonne, he and his wife, Judith, retired to Toms River, NJ, where he enjoyed the fruits of a long and successful career.

Beyond his professional life, Matthew was a man of many passions. He was a lifelong model train enthusiast and collector, finding joy in the intricate details and history of the rails. He was also a dedicated member of Unico and spent many years as a vital supporter of the Windmill Alliance, a charity close to his heart. Those who knew him best will remember his love for his three loyal pugs—Sandy, Franky, and Johnny—who surely met him with wagging tails at the Rainbow Bridge.

Matthew is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Judith Guerra (née Varsalona). He was the devoted father of Matthew Guerra and his wife Kathryn; Patrick Guerra and his wife Jillian; Christopher Guerra. He was the proud "Pop" to his grandsons, Nicholas, Joseph, and Vincent.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law Eugene Varsalona and his wife Patricia, and his sister-in-law Debbie Varsalona. He was a loving uncle to Kevin and Michael Bonkowski, and Elise, Lia, Laura, and Peter Varsalona.

Matthew was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joseph, his dear sister Ginger Bonkowski, his mother-in-law Josephine Varsalona, his father-in-law Gene Varsalona, his brother-in-law Peter Varsalona, and his niece Renae Varsalona.

Visitation will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Friends and family will gather at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Entombment will follow at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Matthew’s memory to the Windmill Alliance, an organization he championed for many years. Donations can be made at: https://www.windmillalliance.org/donate/

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