MATTHEW P. "MATT" POPPEL

1959 - 2021

POPPEL, Matthew P. "Matt" Age 61, of Boston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 after suffering a medical emergency in a one-vehicle accident the previous week. He is survived by his mother Roberta Carol of Marlborough, MA, and his loving partner Stephanie Kiefer, with whom he resided. Matt is also survived by his father Norman Poppel of Flemington, NJ, a sister Julia Bell and husband James of Flemington, NJ, a half-brother Neil Poppel of Delray Beach, FL, his aunts Mary Theresa (Terry) Mercer of Toms River, NJ and Julia Lohner of Avon, CT, a niece Kimberly Bell, and nephew Bryan Bell and wife Jill, together with a number of cousins. Matt also leaves behind his former partner Christa von der Luft of Boston, MA. He was predeceased by his brother Adam David Poppel, formerly of Flemington, NJ. In addition to family, Matt leaves behind a wealth of lifelong friends, colleagues and neighbors, and his best (four-legged) friend, Harry, all of whom have been touched by his overwhelming compassion, humor, intelligence and generosity. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. Matt was born May 31, 1959, in Rahway, NJ and initially moved to the Boston area in the late 1970s, where he graduated from Boston University, magna cum laude, in 1980. He relocated to Washington, D.C., and attended law school at Georgetown University Law Center, from which he received his Juris Doctor in 1984, magna cum laude. In 1984, Matt returned to Boston, where he practiced law at Nutter, McClennen & Fish in the litigation department until 1993, when he opened his own practice in downtown Boston. Since that time, Matt has continued his legal career at the Law Office of Matthew Poppel, on the Boston waterfront. Matt was an outdoor enthusiast, having spent many years windsurfing on the Cape and at various other international windsurfing destinations, as well as cycling. In addition to outdoor endeavors, Matt was a devoted yogi and helped bring many friends into the practice and mindfulness of the yoga practice. In the recent past, Matt's greatest joy was that of spending time with his mother, Roberta, who had moved to Massachusetts in 2020, and striving to ensure that her later years were filled with warmth, love, laughter and happiness. Friends may pay respects to Matt on Saturday, April 3, 2021, on the south lawn of the Lewis Wharf building, 28 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, from 3-5 p.m. A full Memorial Service will be scheduled in the coming months, when family and friends may gather to fully celebrate his life. J.S. Waterman-Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109 is entrusted with his arrangements. For more information, to leave an online condolence or to view Matt's complete obituary, please visit www.watermanboston.com