Matthew Duncan

1985 - 2024

Matthew Duncan

February 27, 1985 - January 29, 2024

Raleigh, North Carolina - Matthew died forever young by his own hand at age 38. The only child of Mel and Mike Duncan, he led a successful life despite the persistent symptoms of his bipolar disorder. He is survived by his parents, his grandfather, RJ Hart of Raleigh, uncle, Raymond Hart of Greenville, and Gadget his Boston Terrier.

Matt graduated from Broughton HS in 2003. He went on to earn a BS in Communications from East Carolina University. Largely self-taught, he found employment with Fox Motion Pictures and Epic Games as a motion graphics artist and designer.

An avid ECU football fan, he brought many of his college buddies with him to raid the family tailgate on game days. Good food and good times were enjoyed by all. He would return late night with his pals to gather up the leftover expensive beer waiting for him on the porch. He remained close to his college friends to the end.

Matt was a true Caniac. In the Canes successful run for the Stanley Cup, a deep father-son bond was enriched. Still at ECU, he drove to Raleigh for all the games. Our seats were on the glass directly behind the opponents' bench for all four rounds, and we let 'em know it. During game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship a puck rattled into the Buffalo bench. Their equipment man dropped the puck over the glass into our waiting hands. Matt's picture appeared prominently in The Hockey News coverage of the Canes winning the cup. The photograph showed Matt, standing proud right arm raised high in victory just behind the seated dejected Oilers. It was a heady moment. For us it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Matt loved New Orleans. He first discovered his appetite for the Big Easy with his family and he continued over the years to let the good times roll with his friends at Mardi Gras. His last trip to Carnivale was in 2023 with just his dad. Laissez les bons temps rouler in our hearts and memories.

His proudest moments were shared with his family and friends. College was a struggle with his bipolar disorder, yet he graduated from ECU achieving the dean's list his senior year. Leaving G-Vegas behind, he headed to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune. Ecstatic to land a union job at Fox, he was hired on as a motion graphics artist . He made stupid money for a kid his age. When that gig ended, he returned to Raleigh and secured work at Epic Games as a motion graphics designer. He saved up his money and bought his own house, not needing family resources. He was so proud of that house in Garner sharing fun times with friends on his karaoke machine. He died standing pat.

Growing up, Matt loved and helped tend to our nine family dogs over the years. He most loved the Bostons. He raised Bandit in college and more recently Gadget in Garner. Donations in Matt's name to the Wake County SPCA are appreciated.

Matt was cremated and sits for now on the mantle in our house at Five Points, the only family home he knew. There will be a Wake in Celebration of his Life at Havana Deluxe Bar in Glenwood South on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 2 to 6 PM. As he would have expected, it will be catered with an open bar. Bring you love and share your stories.