Kind, funny, smart, talented, magnetic personality
Matthew’s genuine smile and endearing dimples easily radiated his engaging personality, and innate ability to connect with others. Matthew was a mentor, a student, a brother, a Scout, an athlete, a musician, a coder, a geek, a hippie. But most of all he was a giant beating heart. He was an open soul who accepted everyone without pretense from all walks of life, regardless of background. He put others before himself and always took the time to help. Time and time again, Matthew’s friends talk about his ability to connect to people in a caring, heartfelt way. One friend wrote, “He cared nothing about who you were or what your background or interests were. He simply desired a genuine connection with you as a fellow traveler through this life.”
As a child, Matthew was a whirlwind of energy and playful mischief. Once when he was spending the night in his backyard treehouse with his friends, they decided to take a late-night walk to a nearby convenience store to buy candy. When Matthew and his brother Joshua were in grade school, they enjoyed rock climbing in New Hampshire with their father while their mother held her breath as they made difficult ascents up rocky cliffs, attached to a rope for safety. His parents had to keep a close eye on him!
Matthew was an accomplished athlete in soccer and basketball. He was a musician, an Eagle Scout, and a graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Computer Science. He was not all work and no play, as he was also named Biggest Flirt in high school. He took violin lessons, but soon discovered that his real love was the guitar. Matthew played in a popular local jam band named Apex Watson. He wrote many of the songs for the band, and in the years before his death he was building a sound studio in the basement of his beautiful home to record his band.
In adulthood, Matthew became a computer programmer and worked for several companies in that profession. One of his coworkers said, “Matthew was willing to put others before himself. He tried to find a way to make everyone happy and get what needed to be completed done. He listened, engaged and was very easy to approach for assistance.”
Matthew had many interests and hobbies outside his work as a computer programmer. For instance, he started several woodworking projects. He tinkering with circuit boards and electronics and was interested in robotics. He was 35 and had so much more life to live and enjoy. He was funny, clever and very loving.
His mother shared, “Matthew’s favorite quote was astronomer Carl Sagan’s, ‘We are all made of stardust.’ It was Matthew’s way of saying that we are all connected. What I wouldn’t do for one last laugh, one last hug. He was part of our future. May he rest peacefully.”
Matthew’s mother, Marsha Mah, provided the information for this narrative.
November 10, 1980-May 8, 2016 – Age 35
Portrait Artist: Theresa Clower
Narrative Writer: Lynn McKnight
