Matthew A.

February  13th, 1991 January  8th, 2025
California
Matthew A.

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

Gallery


Message Wall 




January 25, 2025
Many years of friendship, soccer, Boy Scouts with Matt and Coach Alan. I’ll always remember Matt as the smart, clever, kind and shy one of the group. Loved his smile!
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
Jeanne Rodriguez
January 18, 2025
Hi I will be attending Mathieu's Celebration Of Life. I will also try to write something for him or a memory before hand. I loved Mathieu and he was a dear friend to me. We always kept in contact over the years and he meant a lot to me. I first met him when I was 15 and I loved him. He was such a good friend to everyone he met. RIP my friend. I'll always love you. Xoxo. Kaylee Jacobson. Until we meet again. <3
Kaylee Jacobson
January 18, 2025
Matthew,

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.
Chris
January 18, 2025
Mathieu, you are one of the most genuine and magnetic souls I have ever met. I remember when we met we hit it off immediately and you were a true friend to me when I didn’t have any friends. You had the rare gift of being able to draw people together with your contagious energy and some of the most memorable times of my life and lasting friendships began with you. Your unflappable sense of humor, fierce intelligence and compassion for the people around you made you easy to love - and you truly are loved by many. You rest now in the everlasting peace and serenity of your Creator. A Creator who saw fit to bless all of our lives with your beautiful soul.
With all my love,
Derek
Derek Demerjian
January 17, 2025
Where to begin, Jeanne and I were pregnant at the same time. She however was a novice with Scott & Amy. I had the good fortune to have her expertise & help. Matthew & Ryley were best friends. It was like having two boys because they were together all the time. Matthew was the cool guy and everyone wanted to hang out with him. He was funny, clever, witty, kind and sweet. He also knew how to get what he wanted and would do this quite efficiently. He always had many friends from all interest. He knew how to surround himself with fun people. My most favorite memory was the time I saw Matthew in one of is many “Robert Graham” shirts! I was in retail and knew this designer, but there was Matthew maybe 19 wearing this beautiful $250 shirt! To which I said,” Is that a Robert Graham shirt you are wearing?” He said, “ Why yes , it’s one of my 15!” Our Matthew had STYLE!!! May the heavens and all the Angels appreciate what they have 🦋 Thank you for the joy of knowing Matthew here 🙏

Denise Kirkpatrick
January 17, 2025
my sincere condolences to his family and friends.I remember working at McDonald’s when we were kids in RSM and making dumb concoctions of food on our break. Each week we come in with a new face piercing, and our boss was always pissed and we continued to do it. Good times.
You continued to make others smile and laugh around you. Keep doing that in heaven.
Rest in peace.
Morgan
January 17, 2025
Matthew-

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!
🕊️
The Farrell Family
January 17, 2025
I'm not really sure where to begin or what to say. Matthew and I met at Boarding School in Idaho and our friendship has spanned the course of 15+ years.

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.
Charles Pigott
January 17, 2025
I met Matthew in 2014 and we immediately became friends. Matthew had a way of becoming friends with just about every person he ever met. He was always authentically himself so it helped others feel more comfortable being themselves. Matthew came into my life after I went through something really tragic but he always knew how to make me smile and bring joy into every situation. He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Even on my darkest days, he always knew how to make me laugh. Some of my fondest memories are going lobster catching with him and his dad, walking to work at Subway together, & going to Knotts Scary Farm every year. He even road the silver bullet with me even though he HATED rollercoasters. No matter how much distance had gotten between us, we always stayed friends after all these years. I’m definitely going to miss my random Facebook check ins and I’m sure so many others will too 🤍
Maegan Lott
January 16, 2025
Matthew, man way too early to go to heaven:(
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.
Ryley Snyder
January 16, 2025
I can only think of how many people will carry a memory, an experience or education that you gave them. I know for me, almost everything I do, even to this day is because of many years benefitting from you. From catching tadpoles as children to just weeks ago hanging out in your room like old times, I have always loved you and always will. All of the best parts of you will survive in the hearts and minds of all of us who you blessed. You were the epicenter of so many things. You brought people together and showed us all unbelievable talent. You were the smartest and most cleaver person I have ever know. People wanted to be around you. I wish I could have come by one more time. May there be peace and rest for you now. I love you.
Tarren Snyder
January 16, 2025
What’s up Matthieu. Man it bums me out to hear the news. I just wanna let you know I love you brother and I will always appreciate you for the person you are.

Rest well homeboy.
-Ozzy
Jahaziel Mejia
January 15, 2025
Mathieu I didn’t expect you to come into my life but when you did I was actually a lot luckier than I thought. Cause with you I had such a loving and caring person & friend in my life. You were always so nice to me and made sure I knew that our friendship mattered. I remember you would bring a bunch of food over to me because I told you I haven’t ate all day and you would just bring me all these random snacks from house lol you would always take care of me when I wasn’t feeling well or try and make me laugh when I was sad or having a bad day. You would always be in disbelief on how much Abby liked me lol and then you would send me lil videos of her to me saying she says hi and it put a smile on my face. There’s so much more I can say but you know the rest. Thank you for always loving and caring for me and our friendship. I’m so sorry this happened to you and I’m so sorry your family is going thru this. I send my love and prayers to you all. I love you. And so does Landon
Danielle Lamorie
January 15, 2025
Mathieu has been my greatest friend since I was 15 years old, I am now 31. He has supported me through each and every chapter and event and story and apart of my life. Mathieu never once ever made me feel anything less then the best person to walk this earth, and even as the years passed, our friendship NEVER faded. We spent countless hours online chatting, in his BMV driving through RSM, listening to all the amazing music he always made me fall in love with. There is not a single memory of him that isn’t joyful. He will forever be so seriously missed in my life, I think about him almost daily before hearing of his passing and my son wears button up t-shirts just like Mathieu did. Mathieu held guide me in times I couldn’t see clearly and always always was there for me, no matter what. Mathieu, I will always be your righteous friend, here, there and forever ❤️
Sally Jones (Reid)
January 15, 2025
Matthew was really one of a kind. When we were kids it seemed like anything he tried he did, and he did it well. I always envied his seeming ability to master anything. He was one of the best drummers I ever knew and I used to love watching him play in his garage or even just hearing it from across the street. I remember when he would catch different kinds of lizards as a little kid. He always kicked all our butts at every video game we played. So many things stick out when I think about him both growing up and into adulthood but most of all, Matthew was a good kind hearted friend to anyone who crossed his path. He was always very generous, and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. And he treated everyone with respect and kindness. He is and always will be one of the best friends I ever had and I will miss him every day 🖤
Nick Chaklos
January 15, 2025
I met Matt through our mutual friend Tarren along with going to the same high school. We spend so much time over at the house with Matt. Playing the drums, video games or being in the pool. We would be sitting there playing video games, and a lot of the time he would randomly standup and point at me and say “let’s go get some flan”, which I don’t like flan, but hey it was an adventure. Then he would yell “mom we’re going to get flan”. Which that whole thing always made me laugh. Matt even convinced me in high school that it would be a good idea to straighten my hair and put pomade in it. Which didn’t really suit me nearly as much as it did Matt. We made a lot of good memories, that I will always cherish and I know that just like everybody whose life he touched I will miss him deeply.
Devin rhoades
January 15, 2025
Mathieu, I love you my friend. Marul
Marul Markovic

Service


Community Celebration of Life:

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.  






Location
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
28241 La Paz Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Date/time
Saturday, January 25th, 2025
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