Matthew Jean Vanasse

Mathew Jean Vanasse

WESTFIELD, MA — Mathew Jean Vanasse, 30, formerly of Athol, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 5, 2021. Matthew was born in Northampton, MA to Angel Woolley and Christopher J Vanasse. Mathew was an employee of the 99 restaurant in Greenfield as well as Westfield, MA, the McDonalds restaurant in Southwick, MA, and was employed most recently at the Westwood restaurant in Westfield, MA where he had made many lasting acquaintances and friendships with his coworkers.

Matthew was raised in Brattleboro, Vermont and graduated from Athol High School where he played football, volleyball and basketball. He excelled at basketball while making the Franklin County All Star team as well as being named a member of the All-Western Mass team. Mathew was an avid sports fan and was a devoted Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics fan. He exhibited his keen football knowledge winning several of the fantasy football leagues in which he was an enthusiastic participant. He was a fanatical Patriots fan and would always be somewhere to watch every game from the opening kickoff. He and his father enjoyed numerous outings to Fenway Park and the TD Garden to root on their favorite Red Sox and Celtics teams. Matthew really looked forward to his yearly vacation with his mother to the Finger Lakes region in New York, where they made many memories together.

Most of all Matthew loved his family and his friends. If you knew Matthew, you knew his love and loyalty to you.

Mathew is survived by his Mother, Angel Woolley, and her husband, Craig Woolley, of Greenfield Ma; his Father, Chris Vanasse, of Southwick Ma; his Maternal Grandmother, Cheryl Matthews; his Siblings, Scott Cox, Paul Whitney, Beth-Ellen Whitney, and James Grimaldi; his Maternal Aunts, Bonnie Jean Denno and Rebecca Denno; his Maternal Uncle, Jay Eldred; Paternal Uncle, Peter Vanasse and Paternal Aunts, Eileen Lagasse and Florence Bischoff; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who all had a VERY special place in Matthews heart. Matthew was predeceased by his Paternal Grandmother, Marian Vanasse, and his Paternal Grandfather, Jean Vanasse, who had special connections with Matthew.

Matthew started at a very early age working with the children at the Athol Summer Playground during the summers of his high school years. Matthew discovered his love for the kitchen when he was a dishwasher at Olde Time New England Seafood in Athol, MA. This all led to Matthew's current job at Westwood in Westfield MA where they took him under their wing and where he continued to learn.

One of Matthew's favorite pastimes was hanging out with his friends and talking sports while drinking Yoo-Hoo's.