Matei Blendea lived a little slice of the American Dream. After escaping Communist Romania with his family in his 30s, through hard-work, diligence and old-fashioned wisdom, he built a loving and successful family and was a valued member of the Romanian-American community and the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Alliance, OH for more than 40 years. When Matei passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 21, 2021 in Manassas, VA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, he left behind evidence of a life well-lived. Hours before he passed he was surrounded by his wife of 59 years Paraschiva (Pat), daughter Doina, son-in-law Todd, his two grandsons, Matthew and Spencer, and their lovely ladies, Mary and Tessa.

Matei was born in 1939 to his dear mother Maria in the little rural village of Cartisoara, Romania at the foot of the Carpathian Alps. Sadly, Matei never got to know his father Dumitru. He was a Romanian soldier returning home to visit his family when his train collided with another, resulting in Dumitru’s death when Matei was only one and a half years old. Matei’s extended family and the village helped to raise him, even in the depths of World War II during which Romania suffered heavily.

Maria was a gentle and loving mother, and it’s no doubt that her spirit rubbed off on Matei, since everyone who knew him always remarked on what a kind person he was. When Matei was 7 years old, Maria remarried to Aurel Bosca, and later Matei was blessed with his first and only sibling, his brother Aurel. Although he loved his village, Matei knew he wanted to do something other than work the fields, and since another well-known character trait of Matei was that he was very independent and strong-willed, it was inevitable that he would venture out on his own. At 16 he left home for the nearby city of Sibiu to attend vocational school where he was trained in metallurgy. This decision shaped the rest of his professional life as he worked throughout his career in steel factories and forges.

Moving to Sibiu not only set the course of Matei’s profession, it would forever change the rest of his life. One summer day as he was walking down the street he saw Pat. Matei was instantly smitten, introduced himself and asked her to a movie. Four months later they married and one year later their beautiful daughter Doina was born.

Matei worked hard to build his life in Romania, but after his mother and her family were able to immigrate to the US, Matei was determined to do the same. After several years of trying, he, Pat and Doina were able to move to Alliance in 1975. Arriving with just the belongings that fit in a few suitcases, Matei arrived in the US when work in the steel industry was hard to find. He displayed an incredible work ethic, working two jobs with odd jobs on the side. Matei was always in motion. In fact, his co-workers had to urge him to slow down- he was making them look bad because he always exceeded his productions quotas. In three years he and Pat purchased the home where they would live for the next 35 years, with their home always being the best kept in their neighborhood. Matei and Pat amazingly paid-off the 30-year mortgage in just 6 years, ensured Doina had the resources to attend a college and graduate school, and worked tirelessly for their church.

Three themes exemplify Matei- kindness, love and of course work, and these three were all linked for him. He loved to work. In fact, when asked what his hobbies were, his response was “work”! But it was not work for its own sake. Rather he loved work because it allowed him to give. He wanted to make the best life he could for his wife, his daughter, and his grand-kids, and work was how he could give to his church and his community. Matei’s spirit left an indelible mark on his family and all who knew him, and without exception all feel blessed for having been able to be with him during any part of his 82-year journey of life. Thank you Matei for a life well-lived and a life well-loved!

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