

Forever in our thoughts, always in our hearts.
M
My Brother Matthew, "Matt", "Mathieu", or as I have called him since the age of 12, "Boogie", was born on February 13, 1991, and passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2025, at the age of 33, due to unknown causes. We are told it may be several months before we receive anything conclusive, if there is anything to find at all. For now, we are focused on Celebrating the Life Matthew lived, while also grieving and navigating the painful steps towards learning how to function with the broken reality of a life without him with us, a life with shattered hearts in which there currently are no words that could adequately describe.
Please Select the Service Tab to view more information on a Celebration of Life, in which all who knew Matthew are encouraged to attend.
Matt brought warmth, laughter, and kindness to everyone fortunate enough to cross his path.
Matthew had an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His genuine smile and resilience to life's challenges served as pillars of encouragement and hope for his family and friends. His refusal to judge others walking a different path than his own was one of his attributes that I admired most.
In his personal life, Matthew was a devoted son to his parents, a loving brother to his older siblings and a favored uncle to his nieces and nephews, whom Matthew would drop everything for instantly upon their request. His family and friends will forever cherish the memories they created together and continue to grieve the future memories lost.
Though Matthew's time with us was tragically short, his legacy of love for his family and friends will live on as we pass his memory and kindness down to the next generation and as we honor him with the practice Paying It Forward.
Matthew will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched.
Matthew's immediate family is collecting photos and stories to put in a Memory Book of Matthew's life. If you have photos or stories to share, whether big or small, serious or funny, please email them to MemoriesofMatt1991@gmail.com or post pictures in the Messages and Gallery section below. They will be included in his book.
Thank you for your continued outreach, prayers, and support as we attempt to navigate the impossible concept of life without Matthew by our side. We are humbled and thankful to be blessed with great friends and are overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness and support during this time. We are genuinely comforted by the photos and stories already shared that show how loved Matthew was throughout every season of his life.
-Amy "Rio" Leese (Matthew's Big Sis)
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Please share any fond or funny memories of Matthew below and/or email stories and photos to Matthew's family privately at MemoriesOfMatt1991@gmail.com
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Message Wall
We are sorry we can’t celebrate his life with you tomorrow. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God help to heal your broken hearts and help you through your grief and sorrow.
Love from Jeanne, Francis and A-Rod




It breaks my heart to write this, I wish I took advantage of the time you were still here with us. You always looked out for me and never failed to make me laugh. Despite my hardships you were always there for me and lifted me up. I’ll miss the days of coming over and watching you play Xbox and catching up. Miss you dude and see you on the flip side.
With all my love,
Derek

You continued to make others smile and laugh around you. Keep doing that in heaven.
Rest in peace.
May you rest in peace, sweet child of Camellia.
You were blessed Earth side with a witty personality, keen intelligence and ability to see life through observant lenses. We always believed in you and hoped for the very best for you, while watching you grow up from across the street.
We will miss your quick one liners, your silly grins and great smile, delivered through your God given intuition as you made sense of the world around you.
Although you are now in heaven, we know your wit, smile & charm will bring joy to those you are now amongst. To those who remain here on Earth, you will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace!
🕊️




I have so many memories, some great, some wild, some bizarre, and some were hard to say the least.
Matthew was one of the few genuine people that I have met throughout my life. He spoke his mind, he cared deeply for others, and he was unapologetically himself.
Since I left California 7 years ago we hadn't been in touch as often. But when I would get that random call every 3 to 6 months it was as if we had just seen each other yesterday.
My heart goes out to everyone who has had the opportunity to meet him. This is a tragic loss for us all.
Rest in peace my brother. I love you.

You are my first best friend and an incredible talent.
Growing up next-door to you was such a blessing because you are the example of whatever you put your mind to go all in and do it to your best ability. After we moved away I feel like I lost the best thing I had at that time and whenever we got together after that meant the world to be able to hang out play video games play on the street or go to the movies and look as fresh as we could;)
I know that you are at rest now and in paradise but I’ll miss you and I wish I could’ve seen you one more time. my brother Tarren and I truly blessed to have you as a friend and brother. It reminds me to not take our friends and loves for granted.

Rest well homeboy.
-Ozzy

Service
Saturday, January 25, 2025
1:00-3:00PM
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
SHELTER #10
From casual acquaintances or coworkers,
to neighbors and life-long friends,
from childhood buddies who haven't talked in a while,
to those who knew him best in the end,
We would love to see your faces,
and exchange a final memory or two,
as we Celebrate this life taken too early,
That meant so much to me and you.
Please pass this invitation along to whoever may need to see it.
All ages welcome, and all walks of life, in any attire you see fit.
UPDATE:
*Lunch provided, please come Hungry. :)
*There are picnic tables onsite, however, it is a large space and we have plans for yard games and activities that are fairly spread out so all are welcome to bring camping chairs if preferred. We are definitely bringing ours :)
*. There is a $5 entrance fee to the park that we are not able to pre-pay. Please text your venmo/paypal handle to Amy/Rio @ 949-324-7149 for reimbursement via Venmo or find me at the Celebration for a cash reimbursement on-site. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope it does not serve as a deterrent for attendance.
28241 La Paz Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677