MATTHEW SERPA Obituary (1992 - 2015) - The Washington Post

MATTHEW SERPA

1992 - 2015

MATTHEW KILMARTIN SERPA
Matthew K. Serpa, age 22, died January 20, 2015. He is survived by his mother, Nancy M. Serpa of Arlington, VA; his brother Michael M. Serpa, and his sister Kathleen M. Serpa. He was predeceased by his father Louis J. Serpa. Matt was a 2011 graduate of Yorktown High School, a Specialist in the US Army Reserve, and a student at Columbia University. A memorial service will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington on Monday, January 26 at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Columbia Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Matthew's name may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or at www.dav.com.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in The Washington Post from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2015.

MEMORIAL EVENTS

No memorial events are currently scheduled. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by

Murphy Funeral Homes

4510 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203

Plant Memorial Trees

Memories & Condolences

Add a photo

Get email updates for this page

View Printed Guest Book

Posting Guidelines FAQ

56 entries

January 21, 2021

We miss you Mathew. May you have peace. Remembering your quiet smile .Fondly Titia Margaret

Margaret Serpa

Family

January 20, 2021

Mathew you are fondly remembered sharing your experiences in Nigeria when we visited in Cape Cod . Your memory is held in our hearts with love .

Margaret Serps

Family

January 21, 2016

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hannah Stewart Fallon Nevada.

Hannah Stewart

February 5, 2015

Dear Nancy, Michael and Kathleen, I saw the news about Matt in the Post and want to send my condolences. What a terrible loss for all of you. From these wonderful remembrances, I see he was a kind person, a dedicated soldier and well-loved by all who knew him. I am so sorry for your loss. Loretta Shirey

Loretta Shirey

February 3, 2015

My condolences to you and your family. I pray you find the strength during these trying times. God Bless you and your family. I will you keep you in prayer

CPT Robert Pearl

January 31, 2015

Nancy, Michael and Kathleen, we were so sad to hear about Matthew. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane Labadie

January 29, 2015

SPC Serpa was a very intelligent and hard working Soldier. He served our Army Reserve unit extremely well. He will be remembered. Your family has my deepest and heartfelt condolences.

CPT Recaldo Nero

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace, SPC Serpa. Thank you for your Service to our Nation.

CPT Y Pone.

Y Pone

January 28, 2015

I am truly sorry and saddened to hear of your loss. I did not know Matthew personally but he is a part of my large extended family. It hurts to hear this news and my heart cries out to you.

Patrick Kilmartin

January 28, 2015

Nancy, Michael, Kathleen - I can't begin to explain the sadness I feel for you and your family. My heart just aches...Please know you have my most sincere sympathies...Madge Moran

January 27, 2015

I learned of Matt's passing through Captain Amy Fashauer. Nancy, I am praying for you, Michael and Kathleen daily. I am asking Holy Spirit to bring you comfort, peace and to ease the pain of your great loss.

David Fonke

January 26, 2015

Nancy, Sanda and I were deeply saddened to learn of your loss. We enjoyed our conversation with Matt, at the twins reception, last August. Please accept our sincere condolences

Rob & Sanda Schramm

January 26, 2015

Dear Nancy - I am so sorry to hear this very sad news.

Patricia PIttarelli

January 26, 2015

I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Specialist Serpa. He was a pleasant, thoughtful young man with whom I enjoyed serving in Afghanistan. I particularly remember our conversations about eating healthy and exercise. May his soul be at rest.

Scott Sweetser

January 26, 2015

It was an honor serving with SPC Matthew Serpa. My deepest condolence goes out to his family; sorry for your loss.

Gilbert Guyah

January 26, 2015

Specialist Serpa served our unit so well last year in Afghanistan. I can't think of any young soldier having the initiative and eagerness to please that he displayed.
-Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Kittrell

Kevin Kittrell

January 25, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. It was an honor and privilege to serve with Matthew. My prayers are with you and your family.

Ben Michelson

January 25, 2015

SPC Matthew Serpa served his country honorably and will be missed by many...Definitely gone too soon.

CW2 Leon Davis Jr.

January 25, 2015

Matthew was a great friend who will be sorely missed. His selflessness and love for those he knew couldn't be matched. My heart goes out to his family.

Samuel Fenstermacher

January 25, 2015

I know him from Afghanistan he was nice and kind. Hope that family will find peace in this hard moments

Narda Hemze

January 25, 2015

As a student, Matt was such a bright young man who brought a unique perspective to the classroom. I am so sorry for this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.

Rachel Sadauskas

January 25, 2015

We have such good memories of Matt at his best and will cherish those in these sad times. Matt was a man of real gifts and great charm. Although still quite young, he lived life fully, facing tough challenges and having wonderful adventures. Much love to the Serpa family.

McCulloch Family

January 25, 2015

Matthew you will be missed here but we know that you are now embraced by the loved ones who are there to take you into God's heavenly light. May you rest in peace. My love and prayers for your Mom, Michael, and Kathleen. You were so loved by so many.

Margaret Serpa

January 25, 2015

Nancy , Michael and Kathleen, I am broken hearted for the loss of your son and brother. From reading the messages he was truly loved by all.May he be at peace with the angels.

Joy Rodes Bivens

January 24, 2015

May you all find peace during your time of sorrow.

January 24, 2015

My deepest condolences to Nancy, Michael and Kathleen for your loss. Matt touched many lives and will always be remembered in our hearts. May you find comfort during this difficult time knowing our love, thoughts and prayers are with you all always.

Clara Serpa

January 24, 2015

Tony and I send our love, heartfelt condolences and gratitude for his service to our country. Take care of yourselves.

Kathy Lord

January 24, 2015

Matthew may you be at peace and fly high with the Angels.

Kathleen Rita

January 24, 2015

Nancy, I can't begin to imagine how you must feel. The only thing I am sure of is that Mathew knew he was loved, cared about, cherished, and an apple of his mom's eye. I know he made you proud and that he will always have a special place in your heart.

Carol Light

January 24, 2015

I am very fortunate to have known you Matt, You will be missed. I have a lot of great memories that i will hold on to until we meet again......

James Kring

January 24, 2015

It was a honor Serving with Matthew. God Bless Matthew and his family

Christopher Bach

January 24, 2015

Matt made my days with him at Yorktown very interesting and fun..I am so sorry for your loss.

Adessa Thomas

January 24, 2015

Matt will be missed. I spent many hours talking with him in Afghanistan. He was a bright light in a very dreary place. You are all in my prayers. Dave Creamer

January 24, 2015

Nancy, Michael and Kathleen,

Sending all our love and heartfelt condolences.

Lindy and Rick Brownell

Lindy Brownell

January 24, 2015

My deep & heartfelt condolences to the Serpa family.

Aretha B

January 23, 2015

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Matthew. In time may the good memories out weight the difficult ones.

Nancy, Michael and Kathleen you are in my thoughts. My deepest condolences.

Marguerite Ghioni

January 23, 2015

I am sorry for your loss. It was an honor and privilege to serve with SPC Serpa. Your family is in my prayers.

LTC Renie Bright

January 23, 2015

Nancy,Michael, Katthleen, we love you...Bill and Kathy

January 23, 2015

We are very sorry for Serpa family.

Aneta Vit Miska

January 23, 2015

It was an honor to serve with SPC Serpa. He was a bright young man with a wonderful sense of humor and an outstanding soldier. My condolences to the family.

SFC Chritina Simpson

January 23, 2015

It was an honor to serve with SPC Serpa in Afghanistan. He always was smiling and quick to assist. He was a true Soldier. I am blessed to have served with him

CW2 Allen

January 23, 2015

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

January 23, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

January 23, 2015

You were a great soldier and it was an honor to have served with you. You will be missed. My prayers go out to your family.

SSG Esther Romero

January 23, 2015

It was a privilege to serve with SPC Serpa. A very smart young man who was the only one that could articulate to us not so bright ones, the intricacies of the organizations we served under while in Afghanistan. I will always remember the briefing he gave that had us all in awe of his knowledge and confidence.

Angela Popelka

January 23, 2015

Nancy, I am so deeply sorry for the loss you are experiencing. I will always remember Matthew as a sterling, kind and brilliant young man with unlimited potential. He was a truly special person and an asset to the mission in Afghanistan. I am grateful for having had the honor of serving with him. I am wishing you and your family comfort and peace at this time of great sorrow beyond what any words can convey. God Bless!

COL SEAN CASSIDY

January 23, 2015

Nancy, Michael and Kathleen, our hearts go out to you over the loss of Matt. Our thoughts are with you.

Carol Robinson, Rupert, Rob and Faith Jennings

January 23, 2015

Nancy - plese accept my condolences.

Patricia Pittarelli

January 23, 2015

It was my great pleasure to have taught Matthew many years ago. He was bright, witty, kind hearted and a talented writer. It deeply saddened me to learn of Matt's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the Serpa family at this time.

Jane Faherty

January 23, 2015

Matt was a honorable soldier for his country, a genuine friend to those who knew him, and an intelligent man who made positive contributions to his world. There is solace in the knowledge that his battles are done, he is now at peace and will forever remain in our memories vibrant, youthful and smiling.

Jerry Papin

January 23, 2015

SPC Serpa was extremely intelligent and a dedicated, professional soldier. It was a pleasure to serve with him in Afghanistan. He will always be remembered.

MAJ Josh Shiley

January 23, 2015

SPC Matthew Serpa was a kind, smart young man who served his country with honor. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

COL Mike Hickman

January 23, 2015

Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you.

Kevin Whitaker

January 23, 2015

It was an honor and privilege to serve with SPC Matthew Serpa. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

CPT Amy Fashauer

January 23, 2015

Matthew was a bright young man and an outstanding soldier. He served with pride and honor. He will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to his family; there is no greater loss than that of a son or brother.

COL Martha Wilkins

January 22, 2015

We are so saddened by the loss of Matthew. Has was a kind and dear person . We know that he will rest in peace. We will miss him.

Cliff and Bonnie Logan

Advice & Support

How to Offer Condolences

Funerals During COVID-19

Grief: What to Expect

Funeral Flower Etiquette

View All Advice & Support Articles