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Wambach, Matthew Luke
Huntington Beach, CA: 45 years old, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on March 28 in Huntington Beach, CA. A native of Rochester, NY, Matt was the youngest child of Gertrude O. Wambach and the late Mathew L. Wambach. He is survived by siblings Susan McCarthy, Mark (Kathy) Wambach, Mary E. Wambach, Gretchen T. Wambach, Warren (Kathy) Wambach , Anne J. Wambach and Michele Pietragrome, as well as 12 nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and friends all over the country. Matt was an alumnus of Rochester School for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology and CA State University. A brilliant and talented man, his passions included his family and history, disability rights, the role of religion and his beloved Babar, who died in September.
A Memorial Service is being planned in Rochester at Browncroft Community Church in early June, and updates will be posted in FaceBook. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are asked to send donations in Matt's name to Awakenings, 12322 Clearglen Avenue, Whittier, CA, 90604.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gary McFarland
June 30, 2025
Matt was my neighbor in Spencerport, NY. I can remember playing, bike riding and getting in all sorts of trouble. Take care Matt. See you on the other side.
Rickie Ann Weaver
September 19, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss, I was married to Paul Weaver who also passed this year, I remember coming to New York when our daughter was two and it's so long ago but time slip's by so fast, May God keep you in his grace and keep you safe and I am sorry for your loss
October 14, 2011
Happy Birthday
Trudy Suggs
November 22, 2010
Am so saddened to learn of Matthew's untimely passing. He was such a delightful character, and such a brilliant, introspective, funny man who had such fantastic perspectives on everything. He and I had wonderful e-mail exchanges for several years after we met, and I always finished his e-mails with a big smile on my face. He was a genuine spirit, and I'm fortunate to have known him even if only for a few years. My thoughts and prayers are with Matthew's family, especially with the upcoming holidays.
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Kristin
October 29, 2010
you were an awesome man had a lot of goals set in life a great person you were. I really miss chatting to you on the long chats we use to have. You were always there for others. I miss you!!
May 19, 2010
I will go up to the mountains to look at Heaven with diamond-bright stars that spells out your name in the midnight sky...
May 3, 2010
Only if things were different...
But that doesn't mean I've stopped loving you...
Adieu... Matthew... Adieu...
Elizabeth Marvel-Gooch
May 1, 2010
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. you will be missed.. will be seeing you when I'm in up. may rest in peace..
Connie Gongos
April 27, 2010
Matthew, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me to NYC Dearly sad on your passing. You had alot of courage!
Sincerly
Kathy Dollinger-Meyer
April 17, 2010
My best memories about you - We rode on the same school bus from Spencerport to RSD. You shared funny jokes and stories with your great smile! I am grateful to know you and your wonderful family!
Bearhugs,
Kathy DM, RSD Graduate 1975
April 13, 2010
Matthew...
It is but only two weeks...
I still grieve as if it was yesterday...
Time simply stood still when you left...
It will begin as we meet again...
Your *love* will guide me to you...
Sue Eadie
April 11, 2010
To Mark and the Wambach famly, I haven't seen you in many years, but I wanted to send my condolences on the loss of your brother, Matthew. I didn't know Matthew, but I trained and worked with Mark many years ago at RIT.
April 11, 2010
Hi Gert (Kathy),
Sad to hear of his passing. I remember all your kids as being little, grade school ages.
Marilyn Laber Domm
Marlene (Krieger) Hodge
April 11, 2010
Was flabbergasted to hear of Matt's death.
Matt and I spent a lot of time together during our NTID years. He would stop by to hang around with me in my room almost everyday or tag along with me on trips.
We were close until I graduated and moved away from Rochester.
Didn't see him for years until my visit to San Diego several years ago. We spent great 3 days together hopping back and forth from the states to Tijuana.
We promised to keep in touch but we would never see each other again.
Yes, he was, indeed,a very smart, talented and a very strong outspoken person. The deaf community has suffered a great loss...
Well, what more could I say about this great guy???
M/M Charles Green
April 10, 2010
Dear Gert and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of Matthew--and a loss to many of us! It is difficult to understand the meaning of it all, but know you are in our prayers. Till we get the answers from Him, God's blessings...
The Green Family
Debra (Stevens) Baker
April 10, 2010
To The Wambach's Family,
We are very sorry to hear about Matt. Our prayer and thoughts are with you. God Bless all of you!
P.S.
WE HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF OUR VISITS TO THE OLD HOME ON MANTAU ROAD, UNTIL KODAK TORN IT DOWN, THEN YOU MOVE TO OTHER HOUSE ON MANTAU ROAD.
Nadine,Charlie, Debbie ('81), Charlene,Kimberly Stevens (Gate Chili)
April 10, 2010
Matthew...
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore...
In the sweet by and by,
We shall walk on that beautiful shore...
In the sweet by and by,
We shall together again on that beautiful shore...
Dan Emery
April 10, 2010
As a friend of Matt, I have the honor to work with him while he was the President of Kearny Mesa Bowl and I was the Treasurer. It was good to work with him and he was so smart for a man to maintain the bowling league in good shape and running good. Bless his heart and rest his soul with angels in Heaven. May God be with Matt in Heaven.
Mary E. Wambach
April 8, 2010
For all of Matt's friends, classmates and colleagues, there will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, June 5, at 2 PM at Browncroft Community Church, 2530 Browncroft Blvd. in Rochester, NY, and there will be a Reception after. We hope to gather pictures and mementos to display at the Reception. All are welcome.
Saul perches
April 8, 2010
My Prayers and deepest sympathy go out to family.
Mary DiSano(Brown)
April 8, 2010
My sympathy goes out to Wambach Family...I am dumbfounded to learn that he has passed and hes now home with God..Rest his soul and knowing that his beloved friends and family will miss him tremendous a lot..He was a joy and a Wonderful guy, also
Bryan Lloyd
April 8, 2010
Greetings to Wambach family,
I grew up with Matthew and you all...I know how close Matthew is with you all. My prayers go to you all. I am so sorry that he died so young and I am even more sorry that I havent kept in touch with Matthew for many years and was planning to find him and catch up with him but obviously, it is not going to happen.
Hugs from me and my family to yours
Bryan Lloyd and LLoyd family
Brenda Palmigiano
April 7, 2010
While he is living, I always admire chatting with Matthew and his sense of humor. It was quite shock for me to hear him passed away. No more laughing and no more chatting with him. May God rest him peace. Enjoy life with God, Matthew. My deepest thoughts and prayers pours out to the Wambach family.
April 7, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with u and Wambach family. I am very sorry abut Matt. I know him since he was a child from RSD 1977. He was a good man. He was in peace with His father.
Marlene Marrero
April 7, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with u and Wambach family. I am very sorry abut Matt. I know him since he was a child from RSD 1977. He was a good man. He was in peace with His father.
Eileen Henderson-Todesco
April 7, 2010
Matt and I have known each other for over 30 years and despite our physical distance, we always kept in touch with each other... always found each other. His death is a blow to me; for I can't reach out to him and talk with him now. The next time I see him will be when my time is up and I know our reunion will be a happy one. In the meantime, my memories of time spent with him will sustain me throughout the remainder of my lifetime. He was a wonderful man! My deepest condolences and prayers to the Wambach family.
Meredith Klonick-Cullen
April 7, 2010
Wambach Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Matthew I remember him as a delightful teen-ager. When I knew him in rochester and He grew into such a wonderful young man. Matthew will always be in our hearts and memories with Sympathy.
David Barglow
April 7, 2010
I do recall Matt as a brillant and fun guy during my Gallaudet time in 1981 and as a Member of Class of 86. My prayer is with him and his family.
David Barglow
Mary Kay Reynolds
April 7, 2010
Matthew will always be in our hearts and memories.
With Sympathy,
Mary Kay & the Campanaro Family
Judith Belkoski
April 6, 2010
Wambach Family:
''To live in hearts we leave behind,
Is not to die''
May you take comfort in knowing an angel is watching over you
I am sorry for your loss.
Love, Judith Belkoski
April 6, 2010
Matthew was my beloved cousin, and he played with my daughter as a small child. I kept up on Matthew as well as I could considering that we always seemed so far away in California. His death is a deep loss to the family. He was my Aunt's youngest child of 7 children. He was an interesting and smart young man. Condolences to all who loved our Matthew. Sandra A. Malone
Jane O'Leary
April 5, 2010
Dear Wambach Cousins and Aunt Gert,
We grieve with you. So sorry for your loss.
Your MD O'Leary cousins
Marggot VanEtten
April 5, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about Matthew. I remember him as a delightful teen-ager when I knew him in rochester, and he grew into such a wonderful young man. My prayers and condolences to the whole family.
Blessings,
Margot VanEtten
todd murray
April 4, 2010
i m sorry to hear about matthew wambach as such he is good man, sense humored!! peace ful in heaven, also sorry to all wambach faimilys, as strong positive recovery bless!!
April 4, 2010
im sorry to hear about matthew wambach he is very intellgent person and sense humor sense in an old rsd, he is good man. i m shocked he is passed away the peaceful in heaven and said sorry to all wambach family hope been recovery strong positive love bless!1
April 4, 2010
You have my deepest condolences for a loss of your family member. Bill Athy (RSD Class of '80 - Virginia
April 4, 2010
To Matt's family members and relatives: You have my deepest condolences for the loss of Matt. Bill Athy (RSD Class of '80 - Virginia)
Vicki Nordquist
April 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Wambach family. I'm very fortunate that I got to know him in my lifetime. (RSD 1978)
Mary E Wambach
April 4, 2010
We love and miss Matt terribly and believe he is at peace. Thank you to all for your kindness and love. I am going to make this Guestbook permanent, instead of doing a web site, as many friends have already found this. Thank you again, and I will post updates about Matt's Memorial.
Michael Harbeson
April 4, 2010
Good bye Matt. Hope you're reunited with Babar as people would say "at the end of the rainbow" Michael Harbeson
Nancy W.
April 4, 2010
My sincere & deepest sympathy to the family of Matthew...
There are no words to describe Matt for he is one unique person I've ever met...
I'm grateful to have him in my life...
He will always be in my heart...
Always and Forever, I love you, Matthew...!!!
We shall meet again to sit side by side in rocking chairs on a porch that overlooks the field of flowers blooming as we have talked about...
Oh Matthew! Matthew! I'm going to miss you so...!!!
jackie shepard
April 4, 2010
my deepest sympathy to u and matt 's family .. jackie shepard ( rsd 1980)
Lee VanGorder
April 4, 2010
my mom and i was miss him Matt and we never forget him we prayer for his family so much
Nancy and Randy Sergeant
April 4, 2010
Our deepest sympathy to Matt's family.
Wendy Davis- Rodell
April 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family... You will be missed... and Angels are with you & above you.......
Wendy Davis- Rodell
Anne Raiti-Budd
April 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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