Matthew Hawkins

In memory of a giving and caring man.

Today is father's day ..... What a wonderful father you were to Liam .... We all miss you so much ..... We love you ......... Mom, Dad, Shannon, Jessica, and Andrew ..... and kids ....

There is not a day that goes by without me thinking about this tragedy. My dear friend Shannon, big hugs. My sympathy to all your family and loved ones of Matt.

So very sorry to hear of this tragedy. I worked with Matt's father at GE in Huntersville. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

So sorry to hear this tragic news. Sending my prayers to Matt and his family.

Matt and I attended Bowling Green State University together and got to know each other serving as Resident Advisors in the same dormitory. We instantly hit it off and spent a lot of time working out, enjoying cheap pasta meals, and kicking back a few beers. I was devastated when he decided to leave BG and head down south. You don't easily find people in this world like Matt...he was the most down-to-earth, spiritual, easygoing, and generous person I had ever met. I recall visiting him while he was living in New York, he was a great tour guide and began calling me "Mighty" after I got my Mighty Mouse tattoo in Greenwich Village. We had lost contact and the years passed, but my wife, daughters, and I were blessed to connect up with him in Charlotte one summer night a few years back. He walked us around the neighborhood and still had that same positive energy that was contagious back at BG. And he was definitely a proud papa! I can't express enough right now how my heart aches after hearing the news. I will remember him always as a guy who looked for the best in others. RIP Hawk...we will meet up again.

Matt and I became friends at BGSU through our mutual connection to United Christian Fellowship. Through that organization, we took trips that focused on learning, and living with and helping those who live in poverty. Our travels included the South Bronx, Native American reservations and backpacking through the 4 corners region, and working together at Koinonia, a Lutheran Camp in New York. Matt was always a free spirit, genuine and authentic, nonjudgemental, earth conscious and a lover of nature, and had a connection to Native American spirituality and a commitment to helping those less fortunate. Although, we live on opposite coasts, and were always busy with work and kids, we managed to keep in touch for 18 years. And everytime we spoke, it was as if no time had passed. That's a true friend. I will continue to honor you in how I live my life. Matt spoke so fondly of Suzanne and kids, his parents, siblings, and friends. I still have a voicemail on my phone saying how much he loves being a dad and that Liam is the best thing that ever happened to him.

I am so sorry for your loss. I was a classmate of Matt in High school. We were just kids but I am lucky to have known a great guy. God bless your family.