Matthew Cornish

Matthew Cornish, 68, passed away on December 13, 2025, in Delray Beach, Florida. Born on April 16, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa, Matt grew up in Indianola and graduated from Indianola High School. His life was marked by a deep passion for music, a dedication to helping others, and an enduring love for his family.

Matt's musical journey began when he moved to Boston to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. A talented trumpet player, he toured with the Woody Herman and Artie Shaw orchestras and recorded with renowned artists such as Chaka Khan, Howard Jones, and Culture Club. As a sideman, Matt performed alongside legends including Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, and The Temptations.

After his successful music career, Matt returned to Iowa to pursue a new path. He attended the University of Iowa and earned a degree in counseling. This marked the beginning of a second chapter in his life dedicated to service and compassion.

Matt later returned to Boston to start a family and served the state of Massachusetts both in the Department of Public Health and in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Later in life, Matt eventually settled in Delray Beach, Florida, where he devoted himself to helping others as a substance abuse counselor. Through his work, Matt touched countless lives. The heartfelt letters he received over the years—and the messages his children have received since his passing—are a testament to the profound impact he had on those he helped.

Known for his wit and dry sense of humor, Matt was outgoing and could strike up a conversation with anyone—whether it was a neighbor or a stranger at the grocery store. He was also deeply proud of his children and took great joy in sharing their accomplishments with others.

Matt is survived by his four children: Christine, Brendan, Jack, and Michael, his sister Barbara, and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Betty and Lawrence Cornish; his grandparents Thelma and Herman Fuller and Vera and Ival Cornish. Sadly, Matt's brother Mark Cornish, passed shortly after Matt on February 16, 2026.

Matthew Cornish will be remembered as a sensitive and kind man whose legacy lives on through the lives he touched both personally and professionally. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 26, 2026, from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM at The Sinclair on 52 Church Street In Cambridge, MA. Please bring your favorite stories to share as we honor Matt's life.