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Matthew Cunningham Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Cunningham
Greg Sloan
November 30, 2023
On September 1, 2022, Matthew's mom, Pat, my beautiful wife, joined him in heaven. I miss them both more than words could possibly explain. But I find a degree of solace in knowing that they're together again.
Patt and Matthew, I love and miss you both.
Greg
Matt's family
December 1, 2021
THERE ARE SOME WHO BRING
A LIGHT SO GREAT TO THE WORLD,
THAT EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE GONE
THE LIGHT REMAINS.
Mom and Jennifer
September 30, 2021
Today, on your birthday, we honor your legacy and all the good you did. You will never be forgotten.
We love you Matthew.
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Mom and Jenn
December 1, 2020
"Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."
We love you Matthew.
Regina DeFalco Lippert
November 30, 2020
On this sad anniversary, I am remembering what an amazing person Matt was, and how lucky I was to have known him. His passing is not only our loss, but a great loss to the world. He will always be remembered for the beautiful person he was.
darcel walker
September 30, 2020
God bless you Matt, Rest In Peace
Mom and Jenn
September 29, 2020
Dad recently heard a cute story about Matt, from the owner of a local flooring store. The owner of the store is the neighbor boy in the story below.
Back in the 1980s, my mom, Matt, and I lived on Miller Street in Butler, across the street from a police officer and his family. When Matt was around 10 years old he had a jacket that had many different pins on it. He wore it once while he was across the street visiting the then 6 year old son of the police officer. The 6 year old boy commented how cool he thought Matt’s pins were. Matt said to the boy, “I’ll sell them to you for $5.” So the boy went into his mother’s room, stole $5 off of her dresser and bought Matt’s pins. The boy's mom later realized her $5 was missing and asked her son where it went, he replied, “I bought Matt’s pins”.
Happy Birthday Matt.
We love you.
Anil Midha
July 7, 2020
Matt, some kids in the neighborhood were running around with BB guns and i immediately thought back to you, me and Nate, now decades ago. You were a great friend to me and Ill always regret losing touch. Smiling in your memory, Anil
Mom
December 1, 2019
I feel a strong immortal hope,
which bears my mournful spirit up beneath its mountain load;
redeemed from death, and grief, and pain,
I soon shall find my friend again within the arms of God.
- charles wesley
September 30, 2019
I'm thinking of you on your birthday, Matt. I love you so much and am so deeply grateful for all that you have given to me.
You will forever be in my heart.
Allison
Greg Sloan
September 30, 2019
Short story about Matthew.
While Matt was attending Penn State, he worked summers where I worked at North Pittsburgh Telephone Company. Matt worked in the Installation and Repair (I&R) group. He was very well liked, did a great job and was tasked with work not normally assigned to summer help. In fact, while there, Matthew was assigned his own service van and was entrusted to work in the Telco Central Office running jumpers to provide telephone service. And during my 33 year career at NPT I was unaware of any other summer help given his own van and assigned central office work.
Anyhow as an I&R worker, Matt had his own locker in the company "Ready Room" where he could stow his gear. After Matthew left the company and after he died, his locker (with his nameplate on) was never reassigned. And several years later, when the lockers were being replaced during remodeling, one of the I&R staff removed his nameplate and gave it to me so I could pass it on to Pat. She now has it as a reminder of just how much everyone at NPT respected and loved Matthew.
As do I.
Greg
Jennifer Simpson
September 30, 2019
Lighting a candle for your birthday.
Mom
September 30, 2019
Sending my Love up to your Light
Happy Birthday Matthew
Mom
December 1, 2018
Seventeen years tomorrow...
and I'm still standing...
because of love for you and from you.
Mom
September 30, 2018
Good Morning Matthew. Happy Birthday.
Love you forever...
Allison
December 1, 2017
Thinking of you, Matt. Now and always. Sending love to your wonderful being.
Dee Luca
December 1, 2017
Matt,
It matters not that 16 years have passed since you left, we still miss you. Hoping Jerry Garcia is entertaining you!
Dee
Mom
November 30, 2017
Is it true God answers all prayers?
Yes.
Sometimes the answer is No.
~from M*A*S*H
December 2 will be 16 years.
I love you Matthew.
Mary Deep
October 2, 2017
Memory eternal. The pain may ease but good memories last forever. Sending hugs & God's blessings to all the family & friends!
Allison
October 1, 2017
Thinking of you, Matt, always. Gratitude arisies throughout every year as I more and more realize the deep and meaningful lessons that you taught me. I am a better person because of you and the world is a more blessed place because you were a part of it. Love you always.
Mom
September 29, 2017
September 30 is Matt's 42nd Birthday.
Here's another poem he wrote in his 10th grade AP English class.
Waiting
I drive round the block, to see the sun rise.
The eternal beauty within your eyes.
I am going crazy, like no one before.
I strive and I yearn just to knock at your door.
A smile or hello means so much to me,
If there was only some way to make you see.
My thoughts are filled with the dream of tomorrow.
A world without you would only mean sorrow.
I've been waiting so long, to just look in your eyes.
I'll drive round the world, to see your sun rise.
mjc
Happy Birthday Matthew.
I love you forever.
Sara
December 2, 2016
Never forgotten❤
Mom
December 1, 2016
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
~lawrence binyon
Dee Luca
September 30, 2016
Matt, I thought about you the other day and how much you enjoyed the Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead t-shirts I would bring to you when I worked at Winterland. Your memory lives on.
Mary (Lanie) Deep
September 30, 2016
My heart still cries when I think of the pain your family lives with, & how much you're always missing him. Hard to believe he'd be 41. I can still see his precious face so young as I cut his hair!! Memory eternal. God Bless you all.....
Mom
September 29, 2016
Happy Birthday (a little early, but that's me)
Recently I read a poem written for the Restore Hetch Hetchy website that could have been done by you... and it says everything we shared...
Under deep water
The Tuolumne still flows
Crying for the sun
I love you forever.
September 29, 2016
Billy Joel sang that "only the good die young". Unfortunately that is too often true. And it's really sad. Lord knows this crazy world could use more "good" right now.
September 30 is Matt's birthday. He would be 41.
Happy Birthday Matt.
Love and respect...
Greg
mom
December 25, 2015
Adeste Fideles
Sara
December 2, 2015
Thinking of Matt today
mom
December 1, 2015
There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love...
~thornton wilder
love, mom
September 30, 2015
Happy Birthday Matthew
September 29, 2015
When Matt was 10 he went for an airplane ride with his Dad, a private pilot. While they were in the air Dad noticed something in Matt's hand. It was a garage door opener. Dad asked why he brought that in the plane. Matt replied "because I know there are only so many code combinations for this thing, look how many garage doors I'm opening!"
Greg Sloan
September 26, 2015
September 30, 2015 will be Matthew's 40th birthday. Making him middle aged. Instead, he's forever young. And we can only imagine the good he would have accomplished.
Matthew. Your candle continues to burn in our home like it has every day for the past fourteen years. And your Mom and I frequently toast your memory.
Happy Birthday.
Love...
Greg
Mom
December 1, 2014
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Regina DeFalco Lippert
September 30, 2014
I remember meeting Matt at a Phil & Friends show in Oakland. He was sitting right in front of me, by himself, and we started chatting. I remember thinking right away that he seemed like the nicest guy. I introduced him to my son Tim, sitting a few seats away, and then to my nephew Damian and his girlfriend Kristie, when they returned to their seats next to me, and we all became instant friends. After the show, we gave him a ride back to his sister's home where he was staying, with promises to all get together again soon, which we did. Matt became a part of our family, and one of the closest friends my son Tim has ever had. His warmth, generosity, friendliness, and altruism made him a very special person, and the world has lost a great soul. We all miss him terribly.........
Dee Luca
September 30, 2014
When I think of Matt, and I do quite often, I remember how he loved the Jerry Garcia Tees I would bring from Winterland where I was working. I'm glad I had the pleasure of being able to share his wit and humor. Miss you.
Mom
September 29, 2014
Happy Birthday Matthew
I love you. I miss you.
If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.
-Winnie the Pooh
November 29, 2013
New photos have been added to the guest book.
UC Davis Spring Break 2001 with Jaime and Kim
November 29, 2013
UC Davis Spring Break 2001
November 29, 2013
mjc
November 27, 2013
As December 2 approaches, I wanted to share another poem written by Matt for his AP English class.
I love you Matthew. Mom
The Dying Man
A man wondered lonely through the night.
Without a house and without a home.
The wiseman guided his every step.
The man's pace quickened through the lonely night.
He entered a cave, and the wiseman followed.
The man shivered with fear as the dark cave roared.
The cave was crumbling into the sea, but the man kept walking.
He walked and stumbled and fell to the ground.
And the last thing heard was his dying sound.
Matt's Family
November 11, 2013
We have a very special Memorial to add to the previously posted lists of Matthew's ongoing legacy.
UC Davis Alumni Association informed us that Matt's Law School classmates are establishing an endowed scholarship in his memory.
Matthew's legacy continues to grow!
Mom
September 30, 2013
Happy Birthday Matthew.
I love you.
Mom
September 29, 2013
While looking through some of Matt's old books (and it only took me 12 years to do it) I found poems he had written for his AP English class. Here's one...
Fallin' in the Sunshine
A bedful of roses floats to the sky,
Anyone who sees them has to be high.
Watching the flowers and dreaming the sunshine.
Only with this will we all be fine.
A trip you may take,
as far as you wish.
With this you die in a patented kiss.
You fly in a plane, you fly to the sky.
Just one more hit,
and we'll all be high.
mjc
Happy Birthday Matthew
I love you.
mjc
November 30, 2012
On September 28,2005 I shared an excerpt from a long poem written by Matt. Here is the rest of that poem.
I saw a lady on the side of the road
She had some seeds that needed sowed
The seeds she had were the seeds of life
I wanted her to be my wife
Sow the seeds, the unknown seeds
I saw a cat on the side of the road
She had some seeds that needed sowed
The seeds she had were the seeds of wonderin'
She said your mind is always tumblin'
Sow the seeds, the unknown seeds
I saw an old lady on the side of the road
She had some seeds that needed sowed
The seeds she had were the seeds of the end
I told her that her heart I could mend
Sow the seeds, the unknown seeds
Dee Luca
September 30, 2012
Matt,
Just weant you to know, you are not forgotten.
Mom
September 28, 2012
Here's another story about Matthew that shows what an "interesting" child he was.
When Matt was 3 years old he started going to Day Care. Everything was going well and he really enjoyed it. One day as I arrived after work to pick him up a staff member stopped me and asked why I hadn't told them about his allergies. I said, "what allergies?" Well, apparently, they served meatloaf and canned green beans for lunch that day and he looked at his plate and then told them he couldn't eat that because he was allergic. Of course they believed him because they didn't expect a 3 year old to pronounce that word perfectly unless he had been taught. On the way home we talked about it. I asked why he said that and he said he didn't like the looks of it! (A future vegetarian in the making!)
Happy Birthday Matthew
I love you...
September 23, 2012
Matthew's Birthday is coming up the end of the month. September 30. So the other day, I asked Pat how old Matthew would be this year. She said he would be 37...but he'll always be 26. Indeed. He'll always be 26.
Happy Birthday Matt.
Greg
Greg Sloan
February 1, 2012
I saw this quote. And immediately thought of Matthew. It's how he lived. "Life is not about avoiding storms. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
December 1, 2011
OH, my. How time flies. I remember him so well when he was just a little tot! He sure did enjoy his short lived life but we know he lives on with our Savior. What a great way to share his life. Thank you all. Lanie
Mom and Jenn
December 1, 2011
We love you Matthew.
*photos have been added to Matt's album
Pat
November 30, 2011
Matt's legacy lives on through these memorials and contributions that continue to be made in his loving memory...
*Matt's Annual Scholarship
*Restore Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite
*Sempervirens - Santa Cruz Mt. Redwoods
*Animal Place Sanctuary - CA
*Butler Memorial Hospital
*Special Masses
*Legal Aid Society - SanFrancisco
*Trees for Life - 50 fruit trees planted
*Butler Road Race
*Lutherlyn
*Butler County Humane Society
*Southern Poverty Law Center
*Butler Public Library
*The Elephant Sanctuary - TN
*Butler Community Health Clinic
*Bluewater Network - Friends of the Earth
*Transplant Games - Donor Recognition Ceremony
Favorite chair
November 30, 2011
Yosemite 1999
November 30, 2011
Phish New Year's concert 2000
November 30, 2011
Wearing "Bathtub Gin" shirt with Jen and Nisha
November 30, 2011
Mom
September 28, 2011
As September 30 approaches, I recall the last birthday spent with you on Howe St. in Oakland, and reflect on the 10 birthdays that have passed since you have been gone...
You remain forever young...
Forever loved...
Happy Birthday Matthew.
Lane Vargo
September 27, 2011
Hey Matt,
I was in State College last weekend and was thinking of all the fun times we had there. Miss you buddy.
At his favorite hangout, Cato's Ale House in Oakland, CA with Sara
November 26, 2010
Treating everyone for dinner at the drive thru
November 26, 2010
On the lake at Moraine State Park, PA
November 26, 2010
With Sara at Moraine State Park, PA
November 26, 2010
How to crawl without letting go of your blanket
November 26, 2010
Matt and Allison 2001
November 26, 2010
With friends at Penn State graduation party May 1999
November 26, 2010
With Situ at Oakland A's game
November 26, 2010
Syrian dancing with Jason
November 26, 2010
Pat
November 26, 2010
And can it be that in a world so full and busy
the loss of one creature makes a void so wide and deep that nothing
but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up!
~Charles Dickens
As December 2 approaches, new photos have been added to Matt's album.
jill neumann
November 13, 2010
i haven't written poetry since you left,
or maybe quite sometime before,
i'm not sure.
but the emptiness was never so
deafening, as it is now.
the rain is falling outside,
rythmic.
as if nothing could be more
natural
except us
everything then was just simple,
when did it become so hard?
what changed to make life so
complex
final
everything then could be summed
up in a poem,
discussed over wine,
a tear shed,
your perspective so enlightening
i'd move on.
i'm stuck here, without you.
trying to figure out
how to cope.
i haven't found anyone
who can help like you,
(i'm not sure i want to?)
so i'm left,
the only constant in my life
the struggle to move on,
i find beauty in
waking each morning with the sun,
something we can't share again
my best friend,
i breathe for you.
happy belated birthday, matthew.
i love and miss you.
jill
Mom
September 29, 2010
This story about Matt makes me look really bad, but, it's a great way to show his personality and sense of adventure!
One day, when he could barely walk, we (Jenn and I) couldn't find him. We looked everywhere. Finally, we discovered he had gone to visit a neighbor two doors away. He liked her and she always had candy. Which, by the way, I didn't. She found him sitting on her doorstep and let him in. When we got there, he was sitting happily on her lap eating candy.
Happy Birthday Matthew
I love you.
Pat
June 27, 2010
If you mention my child's name
I may cry.
But if you don't mention it,
you will break my heart.
~author unknown
Linda Bodesheim
April 1, 2010
Dear Matthew,
Were you in the welcoming party for Aunt Jo? Was your Situ and my Situ and my Gidu there with you? Oh, what a glorious day it must have been for Aunt Jo to see you and all her loved ones again. I can just see all of you celebrating in your perfect bodies. Are y'all doing the dubkee? How good is Jesus at it? One by one, we'll be joining you, sweetheart, and I'm claiming a great big hug right now. Love you, "Aunt" Linda
November 30, 2009
New photos have been added to the photo album.
Matt with his sister and cousins outside his apt. in San Pablo, CA
November 30, 2009
Yosemite National Park
November 30, 2009
Matt and Jennifer in his room in Oakland
November 30, 2009
Playing darts in his room in Oakland, CA
November 30, 2009
Half Moon Bay, CA
November 30, 2009
NYC Central Park
November 30, 2009
On the back porch with Alex
November 30, 2009
Flying lessons (cont.)
November 30, 2009
Matt’s flying lessons
November 30, 2009
Naptime
November 30, 2009
Conquering the stairs
November 30, 2009
Mom
October 29, 2009
If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
~author unknown
September 29, 2009
Dear cousin,
Tomorrow would have been your 34th birthday. If my memory is correct, I last saw you when you were 25. Nine years go by so fast.
I read your obituary, and I'm happy to have learned some more about your life. I was so young when you died; I wish I could have spent more time with you, and gotten to really know you. But I did learn some things about you, and it makes me happy to know that we have similar interests. You studied the Environment when you were in college, and now I'm doing the same. You wanted to make the world a better place.
Happy Birthday Matt. We all love and miss you.
~Keely
jason
September 29, 2009
There isnt an hour that goes by each day when I dont think about you, and they joy that you brought into my life. The gift of love and friendship that you gave all of us will live with all of us forever. I hold nothing but fond memories of the times we spent together and reflect on them often in times of frustration or worry. Yesterday, I flew to Philadelphia. On the way here it was a bumpy flight. I looked out the window and saw a thunderstorm ahead. Just as we entered the storm I looked out the window again and saw a rainbow. I knew then that all was well.
September 28, 2009
In June 1999, Matt, Jennifer, Darcel and I went to Yosemite. One night, while we were sleeping in our cabin, we heard the sound of rocks falling. Then we heard a man with a bullhorn yelling as he drove by "ROCK SLIDE. GET OUT. GO TO THE PARKING LOT."
When we got there, everyone was just standing around looking dazed. And I wondered aloud why we all had to be in the parking lot. Matt said, in that way only he could, "So all the dead bodies will be in one place."
Eventually, we went back to the cabin and back to sleep.
In the morning, Matt and Darcel left early to hike Glacier Point while Jennifer and I were sleeping. Once again, we woke up to that same man's voice with the bullhorn yelling urgently. We were immediately concerned about Matt and Darcel. But as he got closer we heard him yelling out, "LAST CALL FOR EGGS BENEDICT AT THE AHWAHNEE." After a few choice words from Jenn, we laughed so hard we almost fell out of our beds.
September 30 is Matthew's birthday.
Happy Birthday.
I love you Matthew.
Mom
Sara
December 5, 2008
I was thinking about Wilson the other day, and that it was probably silly for me to get Matt a teddy bear when he was in the hospital. Then today I noticed that Pat put new pictures in the album, and there was Wilson! :-)
Matt is gone, but never forgotten. I am grateful for so many memories, because it means I think of Matt at the most random times, like when, for instance, Spill the Wine plays on the radio!
Mom
December 1, 2008
New photos have been added to the album.
I love you Matthew.
On the scene with Lyndora, PA volunteer fire company
December 1, 2008
On a hike up Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley
December 1, 2008
On the walk to Point Reyes lighthouse
December 1, 2008
Wilson on back of couch in Matt's Penn State apt.
December 1, 2008
The Flannel
December 1, 2008
High School prom with Jennifer Winters
December 1, 2008
Matt's first bike.
December 1, 2008
Matt developed his love of reading at an early age.
December 1, 2008
Jill Neumann
November 24, 2008
hi matt,
every day i take the time to think of you and smile because you made my world a better place just by being you. and even though i can't see you or speak to you, you still touch my life in so many ways because you were such a beautiful friend. i am a better person for having known you.
i miss and love you every day.
happy belated birthday.
jill
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