GENEVA - Matthew D. Peters, 63, of Geneva N.Y., passed away surrounded by family on August 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with Lewy body dementia, lung and brain cancer.
Born in Clifton Springs on June 4, 1962 to Robert and Mary Ann (Doody) Peters, Matt enjoyed a childhood full of sports, matchbox cars and his little green army men. A 1980 graduate of De Sales High School, Matt played football all four years, and was a member of their 1979 Section V Class C Championship football team. He will be inducted, posthumously, into the Geneva Athletic Hall of Fame this November. He excelled in sports throughout his life: football, running, boxing, weightlifting. He spent years going to the Geneva YMCA with his son, Nick, throughout Nick's childhood and beyond. He enjoyed jobs with Lynch Furniture, Baroody's Cigar Store, GW Lisk, and as a cook at the Eagle Hotel and in his brother Tim's catering business.
Matt was a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He touched the lives of many with his hilarious sense of humor, his friendly demeanor and his heart of gold. Growing up, countless hours were spent around our dining room table playing games, with Yahtzee creating the most competition and also the best memories. With his finely tuned sarcasm and razor sharp wit, even the tiniest detail would become a long-running family joke, providing us all with years of continued laughter. Whether he was quoting Seinfeld or watching reruns of Perry Mason, Matt enjoyed every moment and we were happy to be along for the ride.
Matt was passionate about music and was a truly talented musician. He had an impressive, revolving collection of guitars and drums. He was a regular at House of Guitars in Rochester…thanks, Mike Schaubroeck!
Matt's son, Nick, was the apple of his eye and, Matt would say, his life's greatest achievement. He was so proud of Nick's accomplishments and relished in every detail. Matt's heart grew two sizes bigger with the arrival of his grandchildren, Olivia and Nathan. He found a new, profound joy and love in being a grandfather.
Matt is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Mary Ann; brothers Dennis and Timothy and sister Kathleen; nephew Dennis; maternal grandparents Arthur and Doris Doody; paternal grandparents Leonard and Olga Peters; aunts and uncles Alice and Oliver Appleton, John Doody, Katharine McCallum, Howard and Ruth Peters, Alice French, Shirley D'Arduini, Betty and Gary Pappert.
Matt is survived by his son, Nicholas, daughter-in-law, Megan, and grandchildren, Olivia and Nathan. He is also survived by siblings Michael (Mary Jo), John (Joan), Teresa (Tony) Cupelli, Marianne (Bruce) Williamson, Margaret, and Mary Doris (Stephen) Diehl, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by aunt Norma Doody and uncle Ben D'Arduini.
We are eternally grateful to our sister Margaret for the years she dedicated herself to Matt's care, and also to Angie Price for the compassionate care provided for Matt in his final weeks.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Matt's memory may be made to the Geneva YMCA.
Calling hours will be held Friday, August 29, from 11:00 a.m. to12:00 pm at McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St. Geneva. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Thomas P. Mull will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Rose Cemetery, 4254 Shortsville Rd, Shortsville, N.Y.
For tributes and condolences, please visit
www.mcguiganberofuneralhome.comPublished by Finger Lakes Times on Aug. 22, 2025.