A Tribute to Frank Mattes
In Loving Memory of Frank J. Mattes, Sr.
His vision built a business. His spirit lives on.
He had a plan. He had guts. He had the Midas touch.
For Frank J. Mattes, Sr., the seafood business was a calling from an early age. As a boy, he delivered fish around the neighborhood on his tricycle and took orders from his teachers at school. Working alongside his father, he learned by watching, asking questions, and eventually trusting his own instincts.
That curious, determined boy grew into a bold entrepreneur whose energy and personality helped shape Mattes Seafood. Frank saw possibilities everywhere. He traveled the world in search of exceptional seafood, built relationships across continents, and pursued ideas others might never have imagined. His father called him the “Frank Sinatra” of the fish business—he did it his way.
One of Frank’s proudest accomplishments was the opening of our Harford County facility in 2003. He transformed a former brewery into a seafood processing and distribution facility designed around his vision for the company’s future. It reflected his ambition, ingenuity, and commitment to building something that would last.
But Frank’s drive extended beyond growing a business. He wanted to create opportunities for others.
“He was one in a million,” his mother, Pat Mattes, remembered. “He always had a plan. He always wanted to help. He wanted to give people jobs and see them thrive.”
Frank’s unexpected passing at just 45 left an immeasurable loss for his family, friends, employees, and the many people who knew him throughout the seafood industry. He left behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, personal relationships, and a love of life that continues to inspire us.
A New Generation. A Familiar Fire.
Today, we are proud to share that Frank’s son, Frank, is leading the family business into its next chapter. He brings his own ideas and ambition, along with the same fire, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit that made his father unforgettable.
Working alongside our experienced team of family members and dedicated employees, he is carrying forward what his father built while shaping a future of his own. For those who knew Frank Sr., there is something especially meaningful in seeing that familiar spark in his son.
We will always miss Frank’s presence, energy, and larger-than-life personality. His influence remains part of who we are—in the pride we take in our work, the relationships we nurture, and the opportunities we pursue.
