Matt passed away in November 2017, at the age of 20, after a courageous 23 month battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain cancer. A lifelong resident of Northborough, he was a 2015 graduate of Algonquin Regional High School and was attending Sacred Heart University at the time of his diagnosis.

He had many passions, including fishing, going to the beach, playing with his dogs, playing basketball, and collecting sneakers. He enjoyed traveling, with his favorite family vacation being a three week trip to Ireland in 2014, where he got to meet many of his relatives, played soccer with his cousins, and took pictures of the beautiful mountain scenery.

Matt also was selfless and enjoyed helping people. He worked as a cashier at Hannaford during high school while also delivering birthday presents and party supplies to underprivileged children in Worcester County for Birthday Wishes. He worked with his friend Sam to help coordinate the “135 Tournament,” which raised funds for Coaching for Change, a non-profit that assists inner city youth. He also worked as a volunteer and was a participant in fundraising events for the National Brain Tumor Society.

With the help of people at the Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Hematology Oncology clinic, in September 2017 The Sister’s Wish, a Maine charity that grants wishes to terminally or chronically ill young adults, arranged for a “bucket list” trip to Oregon. He was able to visit Nike Headquarters, the Nike Employee Store, the University of Oregon football training facility, and see an Oregon Ducks football game with his Dad.