Matthew Thomas Peter

1985 - 2023

Peter, Matthew Thomas
ALBANY - Matthew Thomas Peter, 38, entered the Good Place on Thursday, December 14, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1985, in Manhasset, N.Y. to William Peter and Nancy Peter (Flacks).
Matthew was a born leader. As a child his siblings and friends, at his behest, called him "The General." In school, he was known for always carrying a pack of gum as the opener for conversation and friendship. As an adult he was known for his warmth, his wit, and his generosity. He was passionately curious and a keen observer of people and the world around him.
A voracious reader and a consummate knowledge seeker, he would happily tell you anything you wanted to know (or didn't) about everything from Greek mythology to Middle East policy to the bureaucratic machinations of state and local government. He loved to travel, but his heart was always with the city he called home.
Matthew first came to the Capital City to attend the State University at Albany, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees, and then spent his adult life working to make Albany better.
After working in the Governor's Office, the State Department of Taxation and Finance and the State Senate, Matthew ran Kathy Sheehan's inaugural race for mayor and later became her first Chief of Staff. In 2016, he became Executive Director of the Albany Parking Authority where he took pride in making it profitable and a vehicle for improving conditions in the city.
A childhood growing up in suburban Long Island made him a big believer in urban living, but he missed the bagels. He made his home in Center Square and was a champion for the Lark Street community. In 2019, he was appointed to the Albany County Legislature representing the Fifth District. He was elected to that post twice, most recently this past November.
He spearheaded beautification efforts with the Capital Walls mural program and helped build out the city's infrastructure for electric vehicles. In 2021, Matthew helped get new state legislation passed and signed into law that modernized and expanded the power of the Parking Authority.
He was universally respected in the County Legislature, where his work ethic, intelligence and intellectual honesty earned him admirers from across the political spectrum. He believed government could be a force of positive change and that politics is the art of addition, not subtraction.
Matthew also believed a society can only be truly judged by how it treats the least fortunate among us. During the pandemic, he co-founded Feed Albany to help ensure no one went hungry during that crisis. In the County Legislature, he championed new policies that provided treatment for those with mental health and substance abuse issues who come into contact with police.
He also served on the boards of Park Playhouse, Capitalize Albany and the Albany County Visitors Bureau.
Above all else he loved his friends and family. Matthew showed his love through acts of service and quality time, as was reflected in the always open door to his home, with a meal and drink offered to all who entered, and in his immense generosity and kindness to everyone he knew and those he didn't.
Matthew always suspected his time on Earth would be short and he made the most of every second. Every day was an adventure and a celebration of being alive. He would throw a party just for the sake of it and held tight his traditions. Every birthday, anniversary, holiday, Sunday dinner, beach week, weekend or day trip was an event and he made it specific and special for all who came along for the ride.
To carry on his celebration of being alive are his adored fiancée, Dr. Corinne McLeod, parents, Bill and Nancy Peter, sister Sara Peter (Pete Uzarwoski), brother Brian Peter, niece and goddaughter Gabriella Fanti; aunt Peggy Figueroa (Emil), uncles Edward and Thomas Peter and his beloved canine companion, Athena. Joining them in carrying on Matthew's legacy are his dearest friends: Amal Jacobson, Jessica Giordano, Richard Azzopardi, Abigail Barker, Brian Shea, and Becky English.
A celebration of Matthew's life will be held in January, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Matthew's name to the Albany Damien Center and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
To leave a special message for Matthew's family, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com