Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway founder and Chairman of the Board, passed away Thursday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, following a lengthy illness. He was 86.
"Doc," as he was known to friends and associates, founded Pocono Raceway in the early 1960s and has been at the helm of the trioval speedway ever since. Under his leadership, the track grew in stature and has hosted 68 very successful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, while also hosting open-wheel races until the 1980s. Pocono is the only remaining family owned and run track on the Sprint Cup Series schedule.
At age 83, Mattioli spearheaded an ambitious solar energy project. He built a three-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy system on 25 acres at Pocono Raceway. It is the world's largest solar-powered sports facility, making Pocono Raceway a leader in the renewable energy and environmental fields.
Dr. Mattioli was also well respected in the community. In 2009, he received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his generous and continuous contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. He served on the board of directors of numerous organizations and was dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He served in the Pacific during World War II as a Navy medic. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the dentistry program at Temple University (where he met his soon to be wife, Rose.) Upon graduation, he developed his dental practice into a very lucrative business by working 12 to 14 hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. He then began investing in and developing properties in Philadelphia and Northeastern Pennsylvania where he became involved in the start up of Pocono Raceway.
Dr. Mattioli is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose, daughters Louie and Michele and son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.