Wilfredo "Willie" Matos

Wilfredo “Willie” Matos passed away suddenly on October 15, 2024, while participating on a panel about civil rights in the Puerto Rican community, the passion to which he had devoted his life, working for and founding many civic groups and advocacy organizations. 

Born in Plantaje Toa Baja, what is now known as Levittown, in Puerto Rico, Willie moved with his parents Don Pedro y Doña Julia and his four siblings to Bridgeport, CT at the age of eleven in 1951.  Experiencing disrespect for his homeland and culture, from the teachers in his schools, Willie found support with other young Latino men through athletics and became a weight-lifter, baseball player and boxer, becoming a lifelong fan of both sports. 

After graduating from Central HS in 1957, Willie worked alongside many other immigrants in some of the local factories. The work was hard, and the working conditions were deplorable inspiring him to join the unions in fighting for Worker’s rights. 

In 1962, Willie met and, in 1963, married the love of his life, Pilar Cabrera, who had recently arrived from Puerto Rico. They welcomed their only daughter, Carolyn in 1966. Pilar was from a large deeply rooted family and proud of her culture and traditional Puerto Rican values. These would encourage and temper Willie and root their marriage and their nuclear and extended family for the next 60+ years.

 For over four decades, Willie devoted himself to expanding opportunity for Puerto Ricans in Bridgeport becoming a founder of and participant in numerous organizations. In the late 60’s and 70’s he was a leader in the Spanish American Coalition focusing on voter education and registration, highlighting discrimination in the Police and Fire departments and bringing lawsuits to address these issues. During these battles, Willie faced racist comments and attitudes from political opponents leading to his participation in SPIC (Spanish Power In Control) a militant, direct action organization that demanded civil, human and democratic rights. In 1970 to his establishing the Bridgeport Chapter of the Young Lords Party where he served as the Captain of Defense in Bridgeport and a member of the Central Command in New York City. 

After winning some hard battles, Willie decided in the early 80’s to make change from within the system, but still in his classic outspoken style. He went back to school, while working full time and earned a BS in Human Services from New Hampshire College in 1982 - the first in his family to do so. His work life included jobs at the State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities investigating claims of housing and employment discrimination and as a Social Service Director for the Salvation Army. At the same time, he participate in numerous civic organizations including the Puerto Rican Democratic Club, Nuestra Casa Del Pueblo, the Institute for the Advancement and Integration of People with Disabilities and the Community Clinic, known today as Bridgeport Community Health Center. He also served as parade coordinator for the Puerto Rican Parade and was later honored to be its Grand Marshal. Willie served one term as Councilman for Bridgeport’s West Side neighborhood, Chairing the Environmental Committee, but found the political process to be too constraining. In 1990, Willie was appointed by the Governor to the Labor Department where he distinguished himself as Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Labor. 

Motivated by a desire to inspire youth during the difficult years of the late 80’s and early 90’s, Willie was a key participant in establishing ASPIRA of CT, a Puerto Rican youth leadership development organization, where he served as Chairman for ten years, including service on the ASPIRA National Board in Washington DC. 

Willie’s love for Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Culture and Puerto Rican independence was evident to everyone who knew him. He was a co-founder of the Ateneo Latino, a cultural organization which promoted Puerto Rican and Latino public cultural events such as music, theater and poetry. Willie’s own poetry was a creative outlet for his own passions, including nature, justice, beauty and love. His poem, “El Legado de Clemente” is read yearly at an annual event commemorating the iconic baseball player and humanitarian, Roberto Clemente. 

In his retired years Willie became a realtor and an adjunct professor of the Puerto Rican Experience at Housatonic Community College, and continued to lecture about civil rights and to support organizations that reach young people directly, building self-esteem and fostering a sense of community. He credited organizations like these as ultimately having the most impact on today’s youth as they did on him when he needed support and direction as a young man. 

Willie is remembered by his community as a man of conviction and passion, who loved the people he gave voice to and who served the cause of justice his entire life. His family and closest friends will also remember his loyal devotion and affection as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend who inspired us all to love deeply, to read, to sing, to dance, to laugh, to smell the roses, to ask questions and to marvel at the beauty of the universe. 

Willie’s last breath was in service to his community, reminding us all that the pursuit of justice and dignity for all people, and especially for Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans continues. 

Willie is mourned by his beloved wife of nearly 61 years, Pilar who shared his love of poetry, his treasured daughter Carolyn, whose father was her hero, his beloved son in law who made him laugh Jeffrey Gonzalez, his lifelong friend and brother in law, Jorge L. Cabrera, his nieces and nephews who loved him like a father, looked up to him and loved being loved by their uncle Willie: Damaris Cabrera, Gladys Aviles, Sandra Aviles, Antonio Aviles (deceased) Jorge L. Cabrera, Jr., David Cabrera, Eric Cabrera, Vincent Larracuente, Joleen Tello-Wechsler, Luis Segarra, his siblings for whom he would always be the baby of the family, Pedro Matos, Sonia Matos, Migdalia Matos (deceased) and Gladys Aviles (deceased), Marc Kaufman a friend who became a son, and the many beloved relatives and extended family in Connecticut and Puerto Rico.

His loss is also felt by the many members of the community he served. In the words of Albertus Magnus President Marc Camille, “Willie’s lifetime of dedication, vocal leadership and advocacy in the fight for civil rights and equality will always be remembered for his impact. An icon in our regions journey toward equity and opportunity, ...., he will be celebrated always for his dignity, passion and courage.” 

 A memorial service and celebration of Willie Matos’ life will be held at a later date, details to follow. 

The viewing will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, where friends and family are invited to join us in remembrance.

To ensure a smooth experience for all, we kindly ask that entry be made exclusively through the back entrance of the funeral home, with exits directed toward the front. This arrangement is in place to help facilitate the flow of guests wishing to offer their condolences.

In consideration of the family’s wishes, we also ask that any conversations or gatherings take place outside the funeral home, as we aim to accommodate as many guests as possible during the viewing hours. Please note that seating in the chapel will not be available to the public, as it will be reserved according to the family’s arrangements. Lastly, we kindly ask that interactions with family be limited during the viewing hours to help manage the expected number of attendees.

At a later date, we will gather for a formal service to commemorate Willie’s life, with details to be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers, the family will provide information for those who wish to make a donation in his memory. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.