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Matthew Smith Obituary
Stockton, CA
Matthew D. Smith
Oct. 1, 1977 - Feb. 8, 2009
Matthew D. Smith passed away Sunday, February 8, 2009 in Woodland, CA at the age of 31 years. He was born October 1, 1977 in Hayward, CA. Matthew worked as a dispatcher for the Stockton Police Department. He lived 5 years in Bolivia, South America and loved spending time outdoors.
He was the loving partner in life to Tony Castro. Beloved son to Dennis and Lynn Smith of Brentwood, CA. Cherished brother to Nicole Keable (Tim), of Miami, FL, Shannon Rosal (Francis) of Truckee, CA, Jason Smith (Katie) and Courtney Schwab (Jonathan) both of Brentwood, CA. Caring grandson to Joyce Davis of Castro Valley, CA. Adored uncle to 14 nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life held at the Scottish Rite Temple, 33 W. Alpine Ave, Stockton, CA, on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Stockton Animal Shelter Friends, 7475 Murray Drive, Stockton, CA 95210. Neptune Society of Northern California Stockton Branch in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Smith
Tori
October 1, 2020
Happy birthday, old friend. I think of you often and wish every day that we could joke about every year that passes and getting old.
Shannon Rosal
January 29, 2018
We all still miss you dude.
Kimi Sellars Brown
March 6, 2009
The last time I saw Matt he was 8 years old and was the most huggable, loving child. I really think he was the heart of the Smith family. Matt, you will never be forgotten because you live in the hearts of everyone you've ever met. To know you is to love you. I will always remember you as the last time I saw you. A sweet, round, huggable, loving boy!
Angel Freitas
March 4, 2009
Tony, I can't believe it. I am so sorry for your loss. Matt was an amazing person, you are both in my prayers.
Lori Doyle
February 24, 2009
Matt,
Never in my wildest dreams (or nightmares) would I ever think I would be writing something like this for you. I always thought we would be talking about these memories well into our senior citizen years. There are so many memories to speak of. Both Shan & Nik talked of many memories that I was so lucky to be a part of. Good times that I would not trade for anything.
All the winter vacations at the cabins. The crazy toboggan runs when we would get as many of us on one toboggan as we could, and end up at the bottom of the hill in a tangled heap, laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe. Short sheeting the parents’ beds and hiding Uncle’s RC while they were out gambling. The Wicket Ewok Halloween costume was THE BEST one you had! Singing “Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer” at Grandma & Grandpa’s. Handing out presents on Christmas morning… “Is this for Big Paul or Little Paul? … Big Katie or Little Katie?” The water fight at Camp Concord, you had NO FEAR! Watching you try to walk like Bobby when we went up to Elinore & Al’s, and trying to catch the feral kittens that lived in the barn. We just weren’t fast enough!
As adults I remember you playing in the pool with ALL the kids. The parties…well they always started out as just “get togethers”… at Nik’s and then at Shan’s after they moved up from So Cal. Jason & Katie’s wedding, then going to “the store” to get supplies to break into their hotel room and leave our “gifts”. Always knowing that when I felt a hand rub my back, I never had to guess who it was. Even though you are 11 years younger than me, you had the most kind and supportive words for me when I was going through my divorce. That meant the world to me. Visiting Tony in the hospital pre-surgery and laughing so hard and loud that they almost kicked us out!
I will forever miss your smile, your laugh, your hugs, and your quick wit. It was always so much fun when you were around. Hug Grandpa for me.
Love you and miss you already.
Nicole Keable
February 23, 2009
Matty,
With 9 years between us, I missed some of the time our brother and sisters got growing up with you. And as a typical sibling I’m jealous. It was fun to read Shan’s sampling of memories – some of which I knew (because I was there) some of which I plan to quiz her about the next time we talk. It inspired me to add some of my own.
I remember the Saturday morning forts – the big red blanket – the boats and “lava”, the couch that “ate” us, until Mom yelled at us to get out of the living room. Your cauliflower ear and coffee table scar and I’m sorry I didn’t take you when we ran away. Adventure people, The Cabin, summers in Lake Tahoe you so obliging - always the star of campfire skits, Shan and I spiking your hair and dressing you “Mod” for the Howard Jones concert, Union Creek and “the Lost Fisherman”, Halloween and homemade costumes, Christmas Caroling and Aunt Jeanette’s hugs, (maybe that’s where you got your hugging gene!). Your Berkeley piercing, your trench coat, “Silent Bob”. Picking you up at school and you confiding the difficulties of your teenager, the scared and hurt pre-Bolivia Matt to the beautifully evolved post-Bolivia Matt. Pride parades in San Francisco, watching scary movies, teaching Magic to your nieces & nephews, the pin collection on your camera strap, spitballs and Santa Cruz with the gang. Trade shows in masque, sharing books, stroking Pelsey on my lap – Always your beautiful Laugh.
I feel so robbed of new memories with you brother, so I try to find comfort sharing in other’s recollections of you. I am learning about you when you were at Reed, I am learning how you touched the people you worked with and how you loved our brother-in-law. That’s the irony of this Matt. I am getting to know you during the time that I didn’t spend with you – through others, and I wish I’d had more experiences with you during those years too. I never tire of their stories, Matt. I don’t expect I ever will. There are many - all wonderful stories, filled with lessons, and humor, and love. We need more stories like that. I wish we’d had a lot more time, I wish I could hear you laugh again, I wish we’d shared a lot more hugs, I wish I would have told you all this. I will not make that same mistake again. You’ve taught me to hug more, you’ve taught me to share more, you’ve taught me to not pass judgment more, you’ve taught me to love unconditionally more.
Through sharing our memories, you continue to be the gentle teacher you have always been, Matt – only this time, for a very attentive audience.
Until we meet again brother…
I love you Matt, and always will.
P.S. Take good care of Grandpa, Pelsey, Tinkerbell, Snooper and Buddy.
Barbara (Pavao) Smith
February 21, 2009
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you during this very sad time. Take care.
Shannon Rosal
February 20, 2009
Matty…Matty… I have spent a lot of time lately reflecting on the little things…they seem to foster the most powerful emotions.
life was fun…squishing the little man the day you were born, laughing at farts, chasing J with empty 2-liter bottles, Saturday morning forts, Jason cutting off your finger in the door, Doo-Dah’s (especially the one at Tom & Jan’s when you were 8)…swimming at the Stolz’s, scary movies, Freaky & Freckle, Nanny’s chocolate cake…Disneyland, Camp Concord, Big Matt & Little Matt, ZORK, Biza… Phantasmagoria (that was a GREAT week!), Bolivia and especially the bar at Lake Titicaca (I wish I could remember her name), Thanksgiving when you visited from Reed (beer, cops & Francis climbing out the window), living in the haunted house, the crazy nights with “Froman”, …um…drugs are Bad…m’kay? The Ting Sisters, talkin about nothin and laughing about everything…all your crazy impersonations, when you met Tony (“what…is your Gaydar broken?”)…how nice it was to hang with you…how much I am going to miss you.
You have left a great void Matty…in more ways than you know…a void that no wordly thing can fill…We love you and miss you terribly.
Shan
Melissa Murray
February 18, 2009
As I dressed in my "Class A" uniform yesterday for Matt's service, I once again questioned whether or not I should wear such formal attire. Wearing our Class A uniform was simply my way of honoring the work that Matt did as a Stockton Police Dispatcher but most of us know that Matt had little use for such things. He did not care for uniforms, formal or otherwise; nor did he care for all the rules and policies that went with working for a public safety agency. If Matt had his way, he would have come to work in jeans and a t-shirt. As it was (when he could get away with it) he worked with his shoes off.
What was important to Matt was the very core of what we do, not the "trappings" of it. By that I mean he understood the job on a fundamental level. The job, quite simply, was Service. While Matt did not think it important to focus on what he wore, he did place a high value on the quality of the service he provided. His work record has several supervisory notations made after a citizen had called back to thank the department for the high level of service that Matt provided.
Matt was an outstanding trainer and worked with numerous new employees over the years, whether he was the "designated" trainer or not. He was instrumental in the development of our Training Manual - not only in the content, but his computer skills saved us from numerous formatting disasters and ensured the manual contained practical, useful graphics.
Matt's skills will be missed at work but it is his laugh that I think we will remember and feel the absence of the most. To Tony and all of Matt's family, my deepest sympathy.
Angela Davila
February 17, 2009
Matthew my dear, I love you for your kindness, compassion, and your sense of humor. I will miss your smile and laugh, but most of all I will miss my friend. Te amo mucho!
Tony and family, my sincere condolences are with you. Matthew was an amazing person.
Phillip Zimmerman
February 17, 2009
Tony and Family, I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling. May your memories of Matt comfort you during this difficult time. I will be thinking of you and your family.
Danielle Destarac
February 17, 2009
Matt...I miss you so much! I remember my second year at work we would have some long nights, but they went by so fast with our crazy talks. It never was the same without you. My heart goes out to Tony and your family. You will NEVER be forgotten!
Chris & Steve Moore
February 16, 2009
Tony & Family,
As you grieve know that we are remembering you and honoring the memory of Matt.
Robert Applegate
February 16, 2009
Matt possessed a youthful and free spirit when he first started working for SPD. He never realized how many of his coworkers cared for him. I wish to extend my sympathy to his partner Tony and to Matt's entire family. He is missed.
Kristina Pendergrass
February 16, 2009
Matt...I am heartbroken. I wish you only could of seen your worth to the world. I wish you could of seen the impact you made on those around you. I wish you could of known the love people have for you. I wish you didn't have to fight the chronic pain that you battled every day. I simply wish we could change it all......
To Toni -- there is nothing I can say except I am so sorry. I know that you know his struggle and you were his biggest strength! Know that chronic pain is a monster all it's own and sometimes feels too dark to walk through. He loves you - that doesn't change. Please be kind to yourself and know that others are praying for you and sending love.
To Matt's parents and family -- you have much to be proud of in Matt. You gave him an amazing view of the world. I loved hearing his stories of travels and his thoughts on the world. He had an interesting life and he loved it. Your Matt had an amazing heart with both humans and those animals that he LOVED and adored! We are so sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for your family.
As a friend and x co-worker of Matt, I can tell you that he and his LAUGH will be missed. And the citizens of Stockton have also suffered a tremendous loss.
God Bless you all --- Kristina and Brian Pendergrass
Chris Sutter
February 16, 2009
I have many fond memories of Matt… Spending too many hours at work tend to bring out our goofy side, tied in with relentless quotes from family guy or star trek. It saddens me to know that I won’t be hearing his laugh, and boy was it his laugh, could never mistake it for anyone else. Add to that countless hours of rambling about computers, it was like our own secret code. Matt you are missed, more so then I think you ever realized. Tony, having lost a family member in a similar way, I know that words bring little comfort at a time like this, please do not hesitate to contact me if you need someone to talk to.
Ruth Enebrad
February 16, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Cathy Gonzalez
February 16, 2009
Mattie..I know I told you at least once, but I'll tell you again. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE SOUND OF YOUR LAUGH. Your loud, beautiful contageous laugh. I'm so sorry for all the pain you were going through and I wish there was another way for you to handle it, but the decision you made was strictly between you and God. I pray for your soul and your family. I didn't know you Tony, but I pray for strength for you and all of Matt's family to get through this sad time. God be with all of you.
Stephanie Krivokapich
February 16, 2009
I will miss you Matt. You were always so kind and friendly even when I know you must have been in a great deal of pain. The command center won't be the same. I will miss your contagious laugh and your funny jokes. My heart goes out to Tony and your family.
Diana Mendes-Zuniga
February 16, 2009
You will be missed Matt! I brought my daughter to work one night and Matt was there and all she could remember about the whole night was Matt's laugh. What a year that was for us. Thank you Matt for always being so respectful to me and treating me so kindly. Your warm welcome to the team meant so much to me! This is what I will cherish forever! Tony, please know that you have and will continue to be in my thoughts/prayers. My heart goes out to you and to the entirely family.
Stacy Stewart
February 16, 2009
This world has lost one of the "Good Guys". Whenever Matt would come into the Animal Clinic, he would Lighten up everyones day with his hillarious sense of humor. He radiated love and compassion. When we had an animal that was in need of tender loving care, we knew we could count on Matt and Tony to the Rescue!! May he find the peace that he gave so many around him. Matt has forever touched our hearts. My love goes out to Tony. I love you sweetie. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
LesLee Nelson
February 16, 2009
I remember a guy who I loved to see come into the hospital. You knew his smile would contain you, you knew you would be laghing when when Matt and Tony came around. They would brighten my day and those that knew him (including the furry kind). You couldnt help but become connected to these guys. Although I hadent known Matt too long he made an impression that I will forever miss. We have lost someone special even to those he may not have realized. BIG HUGS Tony!! Your Animal Clinic friend :(
Kathy Schultz
February 16, 2009
I love you and I miss you Matt. Work will never be the same without that incredible smile of yours. You were my trainer, so patient with me while I thought I might fall apart. I am glad I got the chance to give you a big hug when you returned to work a while back..I was so glad to see you...I hope you know that I love you and miss you. To Tony and Matt's family...my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Mary (DeeDee) Scott
February 15, 2009
I love you, Matt and will miss you dearly! My deepest sympathy to Tony and all of your family! My heart just aches!! Always and Forever, DeeDee
Paula Sutton
February 15, 2009
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my cousin Matthew, a bright star - smiley, friendly, kind, caring, and affectionate. I had so much fun when my dad, brother, and I visited his family in Bolivia. It was a highlight of my life. He was just a teenager then and I remember one day he wore a T-shirt displaying the “We Can Do It!” Rosie the Riveter feminist icon that represented the millions of women who entered the workforce during WWII, often taking up non-traditional trades. I knew we had some common social justice views and I wish I had maintained closer contact in recent years, besides our brief visits at family reunions.
May family and friends find peace and comfort knowing that Matt touched our lives in special ways, and that he had an important role in society by communicating with and connecting countless callers and emergency responders while serving as a dispatcher for the Stockton Police Department.
* * * * * Rest in painless peace, Matthew * * * * *
-
Tasha Freeman
February 15, 2009
I worked with Matt for many years in Dispatch at SPD. There were so many times he kept the job light with his incredible laugh and charm. He had an amazing heart. We shared a lot of laughs together and I wont forget him nor his impersonation of "Ms Swan the eyewitness" on Mad Tv. For everyone who worked on his shift, they know what I'm talking about. He was incredible. This world wont be the same without him. I feel honored to have had him as a friend. My prayers are with Matt's family and especially to Tony.
Christy Flower
February 15, 2009
Mattie Mattie Patsy Ramsey(inside joke),what can i say? words do not express the pain .I will never ever forget all the fun we had. to Mom and Dad, your son will be greatly missed and was very much loved by all who met him. his laughter and love will live forever in our hearts. Tony, we have been best friends for over 20 years and have been though some hard times before and we will get through this too.you know im here for anything you need.anything at all. (that goes for all the family )may our fond memories of Mattie help us all though this very difficult time. peace , love and light to all,Christy Flower
Mickey Adams
February 15, 2009
Matt was a loving caring individual who brought joy to those who knew him. His love of animals was most evident as he opened his home for those which had been abused and/or abandoned. Those who worked closely with him and knew his fun loving personality and dedication to his job will miss him terribly, I know I will. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Neptune Society of Northern California
February 14, 2009
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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