Philip Anthony DiMattia

Phillip DiMattia was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in the North End in his grandfather's home, for whom he was named. With both of his parents working outside the home, it was his grandfather who cared for him in those early years. Phillip lived in the North End until age 13, when his family relocated to Brighton.

As a young man, Phillip worked as a golf caddy, where he had the opportunity to caddy for renowned golfer Patty Berg, who gave him sizable tips for his labor. He attended English High School near Fenway Park, a commute that required both a train ride and a long walk each day. He went on to Boston College, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

After college, Phillip was offered a position teaching trigonometry to tradesmen at a local trade school, and while teaching he pursued his master's degree in education at UMass Boston. He then began teaching in the town of Abington, specializing in Modern Math, a newer, non-traditional approach to mathematics education at the time. His expertise led to a statewide role evaluating math programs across Massachusetts school districts, assessing how Modern Math could be integrated into the state's curriculum.

That work opened the door to a position as a statistician with a prominent military electronics firm in New Hampshire, where he became known for his skill in forecasting and projections. When the company asked him to move into a corporate role, Phillip negotiated for them to fund his MBA, contingent on meeting their academic standards. He drove 100 miles round trip nightly from New Hampshire to Babson College in Wellesley to earn the degree, after which his focus shifted to investing and finance.

Phillip went on to become Budget Director for the Russ Craft Greeting Card Company in Dedham, and was later recruited by the John Brown Company, a firm responsible for loom sales worldwide, to serve as their treasurer. In this role, Phillip became well known in the banking world for his knowledge of international finance. He eventually started his own business, opening a second office in Newport, where he met Karen Mellekas, who would become his wife of 30 years.

Phillip's faith was central to his life. He held a lifelong and steadfast belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. While living in North Providence, he partnered with a local priest to establish the Feast Days of St. Anthony. He and Karen were devoted parishioners at St. Lucy's Church in Middletown, and took the Eucharist at every opportunity, a practice that carried them through Karen's five year journey with cancer.

Phillip and Karen later moved to Florida before returning to Brighton to care for Phillip's mother in her final years. Following the sale of her home, they relocated to Tiverton, Rhode Island. During this time, Phillip earned an additional certification as an educational administrator in Massachusetts and was hired as Assistant Principal in the New Bedford Public Schools, later being promoted to Assistant Superintendent overseeing testing. He remained with the district for ten years before going on to teach at Rhode Island College and Providence College.

In retirement, Phillip and Karen settled in Tiverton, where he decided to put his financial expertise to use for the community and ran for Town Treasurer. He built a grassroots campaign team that went door to door on his behalf, won a televised public debate, and ultimately won the election. As Treasurer, he developed a program that helped the town become more financially sound, achieving a three million dollar surplus in three of his four years in office.

After completing his term, Phillip and Karen moved to Middletown, where he remained by her side throughout her five year battle with cancer, through every test and treatment, until her passing in May of 2026.

Phillip was predeceased by his daughter, Andrea, who also passed away from cancer. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Crooker, and her husband, Al Crooker, of Duxbury, Massachusetts.

Calling hours will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8:30am - 9:30am at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. A Mass Of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00am at St. Lucy's Church, 909 West Main Rd., Middletown.

Burial will follow at Newport Memorial Park, 123 Howland Ave., Middletown.