Matthew J. Potvin

Matthew J. Potvin PORTLAND -- On Sunday, July 12, 2009, Matthew J. Potvin, of Portland, Norway, Lewiston and Rumford, drowned in a very fast river. He is survived by his son Jacob, who turned 18 the day after his father died; his father Raymond of Norway, his mother Sheila of Florida; Ray's partner Patti; mother-in-law Elva; and Matt's two sisters, Lisa and Christine, and their children Christopher, Chas, Sierra, Jessica, and Isabella, whom Uncle Matt loved very much. He wanted to see you all well and peaceful and taken good care of. He is also survived by his uncle David and aunt Kathy, and aunt Kathleen Kerrigan, and their children Joe, Elizabeth, Lauren, and Jonathon; his aunt Clair, aunt Marie, uncle Ray, uncle Bob, uncle Rick with his wife Diane; and his cousin Mark. He is also survived by my family, Casey, Bill and Jason Devine. He wished, among other things, to be able to make all your lives easier. Matthew was predeceased by his aunts Rita, Marie, and Teresa, whom he thanked for helping to raise him so well. Matt is survived by the thousands of you who have known and loved him through all the stages of his life. My deepest gratitude to Erik Olander, who did what Jake and I could not, and to Ari Meil, who delivered sanity and clarity when I was lost. Thank you to the friends who love Matt for his peace and his incredible kindness, his goofiness and his love of life. Matt's love for you is immense. Thank you to the Maine Warden Service, the Windham Fire Department, and those who assisted in the search. Special thanks to Wardens Mike Pierre and Tony Gray, and to Jen for running interference. That was a very difficult day. Matt is survived by our dog Boris, who led me out of the woods that morning; he loves Matt more than anything. And Matt is survived by me. My name is Megan Devine. Matt is my best friend, and my beloved. He made me want to do better, to be better, to show love to myself and to the world. I know that he is free, and I would not hold him back even here at this edge, but I miss him, and I selfishly wish his time had been much longer on this walk here with me, and with all of you. There is too much about him to distill down into these few words. As Ray said, Matt left this world the way he lived, testing his incredible strength and focus in concert with the river and the woods that are home to him. He was never afraid of dying. Matt's life was in service to this world, and though that sometimes caused him confusion and pain, he never turned from Beauty or from Love. He loved everything fully. The only way I know to end this is with Matt's words, and with Jacob's, because I have run out of my own: 'I do not find meaning in the workings and strivings of every day life alone. I think much about healing and giving myself wholly to this world. I'm not sure what that means yet. I think I see, a little more clearly, that suffering is inevitable, and I will add - even wanted. I wouldn't have it another way than to share others' pains and toughs with them, to be part of the circle while I'm here.' And from Jake: 'Anywhere my dad was, was a good place to be. He made every place better.' If Matt is in your hearts, please let him continue to make the world better through you. Godspeed, my love. Have fun flying. Several celebrations are planned. We will be in touch. Condolences can be sent to: P.O. Box 5004 Portland, Maine 04101 Matthew J. Potvin